So who won from yesterday’s phone conversation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin? Arguably, no one did – but nor did anyone really lose. Efforts to end the fighting live, maybe to die, another day.
Putin managed to find a third way between agreeing to an unconditional ceasefire – which the Russians believe would benefit Ukraine, and which would have infuriated the ultra-nationalists – and rejecting Trump’s proposals altogether. The moratorium he called on strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure looks like a concession but actually has little real impact now that winter is past, and the drones and missiles which would have been hitting power stations are still targeting cities.
No one has lost much, and no one has won anything either
He gave the can another kick down the road by agreeing to more detailed talks between officials in Jeddah, which could mean much or little. He may just be playing for time, but he also may be willing to see what, out of the public gaze, can be negotiated.
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