The scene resembles a film, with the familiar, recurring script that “the Americans always win”. Only it appears there may be no villain in this… movie.
Trump and Putin reached an understanding and met in Alaska, with Ukrainians and Europeans watching in bewilderment. Afterwards, the American President invited Zelensky to the White House and the latter arrived with his… guardians. European leaders accompanied him to the big boss. And they all declared “faith and devotion” to “daddy” Donald. Just like the… good old days.
The key to developments lies in Washington and from the moves that were made, it emerges that there is a new US strategic plan towards Russia. After all, with one’s eternal adversary there can sometimes be reconciliations. And despite the embargoes and sanctions, which are for everyone else, there can be (it is said they have already begun) rapprochements for trade and economy.
The issue with Ukraine is how things will proceed and what the day after an agreement will look like. And what kind of agreement will it be? Will it be based on the results on the battlefield so far? Will fait accompli be recognised?
The position of the Republic of Cyprus, as is known, is based on the fact that it opposes every invasion. And this is what it did from the beginning. And condemning the invasion does not constitute support for Zelensky. This is clear, as beyond the fact that he is developing into a fateful leader, his political-ideological profile is repugnant.
Although the circumstances in Ukraine are not identical to our own in Cyprus, this was and remains Nicosia’s position in principle. The critical point, regarding what is unfolding in Ukraine, which may potentially affect us, is that logics of imposition must not be accepted. That is, whatever territories have been occupied should not be considered… belonging to the invader. This is obviously what references to “land swaps” allude to.
It is evident that no leader and no people can cede territories to an invader. They cannot accept a smaller homeland. We note this having primarily and always in mind what is happening in Cyprus. Turkey occupied territories by force and seeks legitimisation of illegality through our signature. And this is supported by international players, as if it is considered “logical and expected”. In Cyprus, of course, the issue of legitimising the results of the invasion constitutes a banner for some.
At the White House on Monday, everyone spoke of peace, which for now is shrouded in the veil of the unknown. The question is what the terms of this agreement will be.
It is clear that the winners from this development will be Trump and Putin. The Europeans, who prove inferior to the circumstances, confirmed that they cannot play any role. They only follow, trailing behind the Americans. Some of them did accompany Zelensky as if they were his guardians, but before Trump they were—unfortunately—schoolchildren. And this was evident from the staging of the meeting scene.
It is clear that American initiatives are outside international practices. Not even pretences were maintained. And this may create a bad precedent for other international issues, such as the Cyprus problem. What is worrying is that these non… institutionalised practices appear to be based on logics of recognising fait accompli on the ground. And what is expected is that if Trump succeeds with Ukraine, he will continue unstoppably to… solve all international issues.
