Amid Trump's proposals to bring Russia back into the G8 and allow it to host the 2026 World Cup, tensions are rising around the world over how to end the war in Ukraine. Biden and Zelenskyy warn of the risk of a split in the West, as the US talks of a demilitarized zone and the EU talks of supporting China's aggression.
Trump: Russia's return to G8 could prevent war
US President Donald Trump said, that Russia's expulsion from the Group of Eight (G8) was "one of the worst decisions" ever made by Western leaders. In his view, removing Moscow from the global negotiating table deprived the West of the ability to influence the Kremlin's behavior through diplomacy and gave Putin "complete freedom of action."
Trump is convinced that if Russia had remained a member of the G8, the invasion of Ukraine might not have happened. He called for Moscow to return to grand diplomacy as a way to influence the course of the war, although this idea has already drawn criticism in the United States and Europe.
Trump thinks the World Cup "could be an incentive" for Russia to end the war
At a meeting of the working group on preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada, Trump saidhe was not aware that Russia had been suspended from international football competitions.
Infantino responded by expressing hope that "something will happen, and peace will come, and Russia will be allowed back into the tournament." The U.S. president noted that Russia's return to the tournament "could end the war in Ukraine."
Biden accuses Trump of "appeasing" Russia
Former US President Joe Biden has criticized Donald Trump's statements about "encouraging" Russia by participating in diplomatic or sports events. Biden stressed that such rhetoric is nothing more than a repetition of the historical mistakes of the policy of "appeasement" of the aggressor, as it was with Hitler in the 1930s.
According to Biden, such a position would undermine international unity and put Ukraine in a weak negotiating position. He also emphasized that the only strategy that works against dictatorships is determination, sanctions, and support for the victims of aggression, not offers to participate in sports tournaments.
Zelensky: Putin uses Trump to divide the world
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, that Vladimir Putin is trying to use Donald Trump as a tool to divide the international community. Zelenskyy is convinced that Trump's rhetoric about possible reconciliation with Russia will only play into the Kremlin's attempts to divide Western democracies.
US: Ukraine ready for demilitarized zone
A US administration official reported, that Ukraine has agreed to consider the idea of a demilitarized zone on the front line as one of the options for de-escalation. According to the official, this would not automatically mean a ceasefire, but would signal a willingness to engage in serious negotiations.
The proposal is being discussed in the context of possible third-party mediation and possible UN involvement. Washington believes that such a move could be the first realistic step toward a lasting ceasefire, provided that all parties live up to their commitments.
EU: China Contributes to Russia's War on Ukraine
The European Union is accused China of being a major economic and technological contributor to Russia's war against Ukraine. An EU official said that despite its neutral public stance, Beijing has been supplying Moscow with microelectronics, drones and other dual-use goods.
Author: Danylo Pievchev