The Trump administration is aiming to bring an end to Russia's three-year war in Ukraine swiftly, which could potentially give Russian President Vladimir Putin an advantage during negotiations. Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, highlighted that the Trump administration appears eager to reach an agreement, creating opportunities for Russian officials in the upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia.
Gould-Davies, a former UK ambassador to Belarus, expressed concerns about the United States signaling a sense of urgency in the negotiations. He explained that showing eagerness to quickly finalize a deal could weaken the US position, providing Putin with leverage to exploit.
As European leaders gathered in Paris to discuss their response to the US-Russia negotiations, Gould-Davies warned of the potential consequences for Europe. He noted that there is a risk that Europe may have to implement a peace agreement without having significant input in the negotiation process.
Gould-Davies pointed out that while the US is engaging in negotiations with Russia independently, they are also indicating that Europe will be responsible for enforcing, guaranteeing, and financing any agreement reached, even if European leaders were not extensively involved in the talks.
