Zelensky should be very wary of a meeting between himself and Trump.

The Munich Security Conference is coming to a close and,

"US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday traded barbs with European leaders over diminishing Western influence, rejecting as “grossly over-exaggerated” their claims that Washington had retreated from the global stage." (Rawstory : 15 February 2020) (my emphasis)

Indeed, Rawsory goes on to report that,

"But France’s Macron echoed the German concerns.

The US was undergoing “a rethink of its relationship with Europe”, Macron said, strengthening his belief that the continent had to take charge of its own destiny.
“We need a European strategy that renews us and turn us into a strategic political power,” he said." (ibid Rawstory) (my emphasis)

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And against the backdrop of this 'spat' between Pompeo and Macron,

"A distinguished group of American, European, and Russian former government officials and think tank experts has taken advantage of the Munich Security Conference to issue a statement recommending twelve steps  (14 February 2020) to bring greater security to Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic region.

 For years, the Kremlin has tried to change the conversation on Ukraine, and they are clearly seeking another opening in Munich. In response, twenty-seven former US diplomats, government officials, and experts point out their errors." (Atlantic Council : 14 February 2020) (my emphasis)

In particular, the critics of the 'Twelve Steps' proposed by the European Leadership Network group point out that :

• Recommendation eight picks up the Kremlin-friendly idea of partial sanctions easing for partial implementation of the Minsk Agreement. It ignores the fact that the most critical element of Minsk is a real ceasefire, which could happen tomorrow if Moscow so instructed its officers and proxies in the Donbas.
•  Recommendation twelve, which calls for a “new national dialogue about identity,” is a dubious meddle in Ukraine’s internal affairs. This reflects Moscow’s meme about a divided Ukraine that led to the “civil war” in the Donbas.  The reality is that the historic divides in Ukraine have lessened dramatically in the thirty years of independence—especially in the six years since Russia seized Crimea. (ibid Atlantic Council)

No doubt Zelensky is aware of the 'recommendations' of the European Leadership Network. This is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that at the Munich Security Conference he stated that,

 "Our desire today is to hold local elections throughout Ukraine, including with certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, in October 2020, and we'd also like to see them held in the territory of Crimea. But to do this without elementary security and political conditions met, violating the Constitution of Ukraine and international standards of democratic elections, would be impossible for us," the president said, speaking at the Munich Security Conference.
 (UNIAN : 15 February 2020) (my emphasis)

Earlier Zelensky's newly appointed Head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, stated that,

"Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak says holding elections in the war-torn Donbas is impossible until foreign troops and illegal armed groups are withdrawn and control over the border is regained by Ukraine.
.....
We on the Ukrainian side are ready to fulfill all the agreements that were reached, primarily in Paris," he said. "We have a clear plan for what should happen so that in late October, elections could be held throughout Ukraine, in line with Ukrainian laws," said Yermak.

 According to the Presidential Office chief, some compromises could be reached during talks, but not to the detriment of Ukraine's interests." (UNIAN: 12 February 2020) (my emphasis)

Who Is Andriy Yermak? (RFERL)

Yermak has extensive business interests in Putin's Russia. So what, exactly, is he referring to when he says that, " ... some compromises could be reached during talks ..."?

Even more disconcerting, as Angela Merkel begins to relinquish her Chancellorship of Germany, her chosen successor, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (right), the recent leader of the CDU party in Germany, had to resign her position because of  her joining the CDU with Germany's far-right AFD party during the Thuringia state elections to elect a member of the smaller, pro-business Free Democrats as state premier (Jen Kirby : Vox: 10 February 2020) (my emphasis)

What, now, will Merkel's legacy be over her handling of Putin's war with Ukraine?


Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer's linking with Germany's far-right AFD party during the Thuringia state elections should also be viewed against the known fact that the AFD, Germany's current largest opposition party in the German Parliament, is also a big supporter of Putin.

So what compromises with Putin will Merkel offer at the next Normandy Format Meeting between herself, Putin, Macron, and Zelensky?

And how will these 'compromises' of Merkel square with the 'compromises' that Zelensky's Head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, is referring to?

In the wake of Trump's acquittal by the Republican party in the US Senate, Zelensky now seems to be scrabbling to get back into Trump's 'good books'.

This attempt by Zelensky at a reset with Trump comes as Trump has now been emboldened to trample all over the Rule of Law in the US by not only attempting to put his enemies behind bars but also to release his friends who are now sitting behind bars.

Zelensky should be very wary of a meeting between himself and Trump.

(to be continued)