The former Pentagon chief says Putin is “tapping along” Trump and remains fixated on maximalist war objectives.
From: Euromaiden Press BY YURI ZORIA
Former US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in an interview with CBS’s “Face the Nation” that Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to accept any peace deal in Ukraine unless he achieves his long-standing goal of rebuilding the Russian empire.
This comes as US President Donald Trump pushes for direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow, ostensibly to end the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. On 15 May, lower-level Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in Istanbul, but the talks produced no progress toward a ceasefire or peace agreement. Russia’s demands remain unchanged and amount to Ukraine’s de facto capitulation—weakening its military, accepting a puppet government, and surrendering occupied territories to Moscow. Trump said on 16 May that he is preparing for direct talks with Putin “as soon as he can.”
Former US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Source: CBSPutin won’t accept peace unless Russian empire is restored, says US ex-defense secretary Gates
Former US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in an interview with CBS’s “Face the Nation” that Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to accept any peace deal in Ukraine unless he achieves his long-standing goal of rebuilding the Russian empire.
This comes as US President Donald Trump pushes for direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow, ostensibly to end the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. On 15 May, lower-level Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in Istanbul, but the talks produced no progress toward a ceasefire or peace agreement. Russia’s demands remain unchanged and amount to Ukraine’s de facto capitulation—weakening its military, accepting a puppet government, and surrendering occupied territories to Moscow. Trump said on 16 May that he is preparing for direct talks with Putin “as soon as he can.”
Gates believes Putin sees Ukraine as essential to that objective, according to CBS.
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