Expert predicts US pressure on Kyiv for peace deal before G20 summit

Forecast regarding pressure ahead of leaders' meeting

Andrew Weiss, a Russia expert in Washington and a representative of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, expressed the view that Trump may try to force Ukraine to sign a peace deal with Russia by December. According to him, this deadline is determined by the planned meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit, which will take place in Miami.

Explanation of Washington's motivation

Weiss emphasised that current events are not related to diesel fuel or long-range strikes on oil refineries. "Єдине пояснення, яке я можу дати, — це зв’язок з важливими подіями перед зустріччю «Великої двадцятки» в грудні. На мою думку, те, що відбувається, не має стосунку до дизельного палива чи ударів по НПЗ на далекі відстані. Насправді Трамп упевнений, що зможе схилити українців до якогось політичного рішення» (The only explanation I can give is the connection to important events ahead of the 'G20' meeting in December. In my opinion, what is happening has nothing to do with diesel fuel or long-range strikes on refineries. In fact, Trump is convinced that he can persuade the Ukrainians to accept some kind of political solution), — the analyst stated.

Reaction from the Russian side

Meanwhile, it is noted that Kremlin representatives are pleased to talk about the rapid collapse of Western support for Ukraine. Russian President's Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov commented on the situation with the words: «Видно останні ознаки агонії. Київський режим чинить опір, але це не здатне змінити хід подій» (The last signs of agony are visible. The Kyiv regime is resisting, but this is unable to change the course of events).

The material also includes a comment from Kirill Dmitriev, who limited himself to a single word: «Мат» (Fuck).

Assessment of the phone call results

An unnamed Russian scientist, who has close ties with senior Russian diplomats, stated that the Russian leadership had achieved a certain political victory. According to him, these changes occurred after a phone call between the leaders. «Ймовірно, Путін зміг переконати Трампа, провівши розмову дуже професійно та ретельно підготувавши аргументи» (Presumably, Putin was able to convince Trump by conducting the conversation very professionally and carefully preparing his arguments), — the source added.