Stanford University professor Michael McFaul was US ambassador to Russia during Barack Obama's presidency. In a comment after the phone call between Trump and Putin, he warned that concessions should not be made to the Russian president on the issue of a ceasefire in Ukraine.
DW: How do you assess the results of the phone call between Trump and Putin?
M. McFaul: When the Ukrainians met with the Trump team in Saudi Arabia, they agreed to a 30-day truce without any conditions. And Putin, as I expected, said that he would agree only under certain conditions, and quite strict ones. First, he demanded that we not supply weapons to Ukraine for 30 days. Second, to stop providing intelligence. And third, to stop mobilization in Ukraine. This is not serious. This means that the war will continue. As for stopping attacks on energy infrastructure facilities, that would not be bad. But only half an hour after the phone call, information came from Kiev that the attacks had begun again.
"Putin should not be made concessions"
DV: You positively assessed the fact that Trump did not agree to these demands, or at least - in his statement this was not mentioned. Can we take it as a good sign?
M. McFaul: Yes, this is a good sign. I was worried that he would agree to these conditions without having an agreement with the Ukrainians on this issue. Let's hope that now President Trump and his team will understand that one should not simply make concessions to Putin. I can judge this from these negotiations that our team conducted during the presidency of Barack Obama. We have bitter experience in this regard - one should not do it like that. Real deals should be made, and not concessions should be made to him in the expectation that he will respond kindly in turn. He is not that kind of person. I hope that the Trump team will act more realistically when it decides to take the next step on the path to a ceasefire agreement.
DW: What scenario do you think this movement towards peace is going according to now - according to Trump's scenario or according to Putin's scenario?
M. McFaul: According to Putin's. Putin dictates what he wants, and the Trump administration only nods in agreement. As for the Ukrainian side, there is constant pressure on it to get an agreement. Ukraine was initially told that there would be no more arms deliveries, then that the US would no longer provide intelligence. That is, pressure for the Ukrainians, and gifts for Putin.
"Trump wants to be Putin's friend"
DV: And now they will pressure Zelensky to agree to all these conditions? And he will be forced?
M. McFaul: Let's hope that won't happen - these conditions should not be accepted. But even if Volodymyr Zelensky says "yes", I'm not sure that the Ukrainian population will agree. What kind of independence could we be talking about in such a case? If they forbid a country from forming its own army, it means that it is a province or colony of Russia.
DW: Putin and Trump have also discussed issues related to economic cooperation, control over strategic arms, Iran, hockey... Is this important or is it just a distraction?
M. McFaul: This is Putin's rational strategy. He understands that Trump wants to establish normal good relations. He understands that Trump, strangely enough, wants to be his friend. The topic of hockey is particularly relevant - because Trump loves such sporting events. But I hope that there are people in Trump's team who understand that this does not correspond to our national interests.
Author: Olga Tikhomirova