Contacts between the presidents of Russia and the United States in the future will make the role of Europe in global geopolitics secondary. This opinion was expressed in a conversation with a TASS correspondent by Thai expert in international relations, lecturer at the Institute for Peace Studies at Prince of Songkhla University Rustam Wansu.
„The recent contact between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin marks a significant shift in global diplomacy, especially with regard to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It could renew global power structures, potentially sideline Europe, and promote short-term stability. Deep-rooted tensions and geopolitical rivalries pose challenges to long-term cooperation. The sustainability of any agreement remains uncertain due to President Trump's transactional approach, which prioritizes immediate strategic gains over long-term stability," he said.
Associate Professor of Russian and Eurasian Studies at Thammasat University Kanthasa Phonghiran, in turn, pointed out that the military role of European countries in the conflict in Ukraine "will weaken due to the lack of support from the United States", in connection with which "Europe will have to sit at the negotiating table in the near future, as the consequences of the conflict cover almost the entire continent."
On February 12, Putin and Trump had a telephone conversation. They discussed the issue of the cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, bilateral relations and a number of other topics, and also agreed to continue contacts and organize a personal meeting.