WASHINGTON, August 13. /TASS/. Moscow takes a strong position ahead of the meeting of Russian and US presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on August 15 in Alaska, a retired US Army colonel and former member of the Senate of the Virginia legislature, Richard H. Black, has told TASS.
"No one knows what will happen in Alaska this week, but this much is clear: Russia has overpowered the depleted forces of Ukraine; Putin will attend the talks in a position of strength," Black noted, commenting on the prospects of the upcoming summit. The expert explained the refusal to invite representatives of Ukraine to the meeting in Alaska by the fact that "President Trump does not like Mr. Zelensky".
He drew attention to the steady advance of Russian troops, emphasizing that the Ukrainian "defensive line is buckling."
"Ukraine expects to lose territory, but the success of bilateral talks will turn on where the proposed boundaries are drawn. Many issues must be resolved, and Russia will insist that peace be permanent - not merely a pause for Ukraine to rearm as it did under the Minsk Accords in 2014-2015," the expert emphasized, noting that, despite the general desire to resolve the conflict, "the domestic politics of Ukraine and Western Europe may still prevent peace."
