Trump-Putin Meeting: A Milestone for Ukraine and the Case of Cyprus

Michalis Kontos, Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Nicosia, told CNA that the upcoming meeting between the Presidents of the US and Russia in Alaska is a historic milestone for the war in Ukraine.

Kontos believes that the most likely scenario is a semi-official ceasefire, leaving the diplomatic settlement open. This could lead to an occupational status quo, similar to the case of Cyprus or Korea, or create hotbeds of conflict like in Gaza and Kashmir.

In the long term, there may be a final settlement of the Helsinki Final Act type, with recognition of Russian sovereignty over the occupied territories in exchange for an agreement to cease further claims.

Kontos noted that the meeting may be a first step towards a mutually acceptable ceasefire formula, even without a permanent settlement.

He also referred to the positions of the parties involved, with Trump pointing the way to territorial concessions and Putin seeking official recognition of the annexation of the occupied territories.

Finally, he stressed that there is a mutual will to end hostilities, as Ukraine cannot recapture territories and Russia faces an economic crisis.