Western Fracture: Failure of the London Peace Talks
The London summit, which was intended to mark an important step towards peace in Ukraine, was cancelled due to deep disagreements between Ukraine and its Western allies. The situation, lapidarily described by US President Donald Trump at the end of a chaotic day, was marked by the postponement of scheduled meetings, including crucial ones between foreign ministers. The cause of this failure is to be found in the internal frictions within the Western alliance, particularly with regard to the peace proposal put forward by the United States. The central disagreement was the issue of Crimea, which the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, reiterated he did not recognise as part of Russia.
The United States, represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, chose not to attend the summit, blaming the lack of tangible progress in resolving the crisis. This decision was influenced by the statements of Zelensky, who emphasised the impossibility of legally accepting the Russian occupation of Crimea. Zelensky's words carried so much weight that they led to the cancellation of the participation of other European countries, including France and Germany. The French President, in a statement, reiterated that the issue of Ukraine's 'European vocation' remains fundamental for Europe, but she could not reconcile the divergent positions between the US and European capitals.
The Reasons for the Fracture: Trump's Rejection of the Peace Plan
The peace plan presented by Trump, which includes the recognition of Crimea as part of Russia and a territorial border freeze, was rejected by Ukraine and its European allies. The proposal was that, in return for a solution to the conflict, Kiev would cede part of its territory, including Crimea. However, despite pressure from the United States, the proposal was not seen as fair by the Ukrainian leadership, which vetoed any agreement involving the loss of territory. The negative reaction was all the stronger because the US plan did not include adequate compensation for Ukraine, but focused on concessions to Russia.
The main issue remains Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014, an act that Kiev and the international community have never recognised. Trump reiterated that Crimea 'was lost years ago', trying to downplay the importance of this annexation for starting peace negotiations. The Ukrainian president rejected this view, calling Trump's statement, which echoed Washington's position, detrimental to the negotiations. Despite the differences, the White House insisted on the need to resolve the crisis, trying to force Kiev into a compromise that could mark the end of the conflict.
Military Consequences and the Stagnation of Conflict
The military situation in Ukraine remains critical, with the war continuing to inflict heavy casualties on both sides. While Ukrainian forces resist, Russian troops advance slowly but steadily. Difficulties in the procurement of arms and ammunition, the erosion of Ukrainian forces, and the growing shortage of military resources are major factors in the slowdown of field operations. Losses, both in men and material, are heavy, with over 940,000 Russian soldiers killed or wounded since the beginning of the conflict. Russia has also increased its war capacity thanks to supplies from North Korea, while the Ukrainians struggle to replace their damaged vehicles.
Despite the intensified fighting, Ukraine does not seem to be able to regain the lost territories, and its forces are reviewing their defensive strategies. General Oleksander Syrsky has ordered the withdrawal from certain regions, such as Sumy and Kharkov, in order to concentrate forces on the main front, but this could mean abandoning crucial territories under Russian control. Moreover, the lack of military support from European countries, which are unwilling to provide sufficient troops or resources to turn the tide of the conflict, is aggravating the situation.
Kiev's inability to obtain the necessary military support to counter the Russian offensive and the growing difficulties in logistics and communications raise questions about Ukraine's future ability to sustain the conflict without significant compromise. Ukraine's resistance, although supported by some Western nations, does not seem to be enough to tip the balance in its favour, while the war drags on with its dramatic implications for the civilian population and the entire region.
In short, the failure of the London summit has highlighted the difficulties of mediation between the United States and Europe, with Kiev's position remaining adamant on the territorial issue. With the conflict continuing to inflict heavy losses, both human and military, the possibility of a peace agreement seems increasingly remote. The international response, unfortunately, does not seem able to resolve the crisis decisively, leaving Ukraine facing a long and painful battle.
Published by Condoralex
Born Alessandro Generotti, C.le Maj. Parachutist on leave. Military Parachutist Patent no. 192806. 186th RGT Par. Folgore/5th BTG. Par. El Alamein/XIII Cp. Par. Condor.
Founder and administrator of the website BRIGATAFOLGORE.NET. Blogger and computer scientist by profession.
