For success, in any negotiation, I believe, that the position of the parties should be to pursue a collaborative outcome. An outcome wherein the parties reach a resolution that will also have permanence.
The ‘TrumPutin’ discussions regarding a resolution of the warfare initiated by Russia in Ukraine, does not appear to have this outcome as their goal. In fact, ‘TrumPutin’ (Putin for Russia; Trump for Ukraine) are each approaching the discussions as a zero-sum game. Putin demands control over all of Ukraine, a piece at a time, while Ukraine, influenced by Trump, is also playing an opposite zero-sum game.
To complicate matters, the discussions to resolve the Ukrainian 3-year-old war are really discussions with oneself.
With the ‘TrumPutin,’ each wanting everything, it does not appear that any agreement can be achieved, let alone a lasting one. In light of the bro-relationship that Trump has with Putin, this situation cries out for an independent third party. An independent party, such as the one played by the Qatarizes with Israel, should be sought to direct the discussions.
Anything less will never be productive.
William Swartz
Howell
