Bracing for Trump’s endgame

Yesterday, at the chilly end of winter, Kyiv's streets were crowded with well-dressed individuals walking down the beautiful Khreschatyk promenade to the Maidan. 
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Mass demonstrations were held here at Independence Square in late 2013, following then-President Viktor Yanukovych's decision to forgo an association deal with the European Union in favour of deeper ties with Moscow. The plaza is now a temporary shrine honouring troops who lost their lives defending against Russian invaders. The experience of having their world upended is bitter for Ukrainians. However, many are still perplexed by US President Donald Trump's resolve to rehabilitate Russia through a peace agreement over Ukraine's head, which resulted in those heated exchanges with Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the White House on Friday. Prior to it breaking up in the Oval Office discussion was supposed to centre on a natural resources agreement with the United States providing Ukraine with some sort of ambiguous security assurances. Rather, Zelenskiy's refusal to accept a ceasefire at any cost was criticized by Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who accused him of "disrespect." Zelenskiy, not Vladimir Putin, was the peacemaker, according to the MAGA group. However, Ukrainians continue to support their president despite mounting demand from the United States for him to resign and issue an apology. In an attempt to guarantee a lasting peace, European leaders gathered in London yesterday decided to form a "coalition of the willing" to provide widespread support for Ukraine, given the uncertainty surrounding US assistance. 

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https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NbyAMekA0PCXXH3xvmhtv2LJzCcBigPkelExJocRbIKVmPguRSgCLUGo4i10nQSSkyfIvKvNkmY977CvZPaOYOQNKkVd5JOgGzbAslK_lMEDKJ6ya732QBKQb_zJjfaxQ=s0-d-e1-ft#https://assets.bwbx.io/images/users/iqjWHBFdfxIU/iXHXiwlw4oH0/v0/-1x-1.png

EU leaders will talk about how to increase production in the defence sector later this week. Zelenskiy has stated that he is willing to return to the table with Trump, and they are vying for his attention. Life in Kyiv continues. However, the feeling that another turn is imminent is difficult to shake. Whether it will benefit Ukraine is the question.

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