Boryslav Bereza: This Is Trump's Main Goal
- 13.08.2025, 22:04
Why the US president traded sanctions for a meeting with Putin.
On August 15, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska on August 15. Why did Trump, instead of imposing sanctions scheduled for August 8, decide to meet with Putin, and even invite him to the U.S.? The website Charter97.org talked to Ukrainian politician and former Verkhovna Rada deputy Boryslav Bereza about it:
- Trump lives with the idea of receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, and this thought does not leave him. On October 10, the Nobel Committee will announce the laureates.
The U.S. president has already participated in preventing war between Cambodia and Thailand, as well as contributing to the signing in Washington of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He was also involved in the settlement of the conflict between Pakistan and India. He has a good chance of winning the award. But to guarantee success, Trump needs a truce in Ukraine. The desire to achieve this truce overrides common sense and all other motives.
Trump realizes that by imposing sanctions now, he will definitely not get the desired result by October 10. However, in my opinion, he will not get the result anyway. Putin will try to outsmart him, will flatter him and act within the framework of the psychological portrait prepared by the FSB specifically for communication with Trump.
But this is not the only reason why Trump will not get what he wants. Putin doesn't need an end to the war - he needs a pause. A pause to rearm and re-supply the army, a respite for the economy, and to stockpile weapons. Today, Russian tanks and BMPs are rarely seen at the front - there are simply not enough of them. The Kremlin wants to prepare for a new phase of the war.
Does Trump understand this? Most likely, yes. But the peace prize is more important to him now. I think sanctions will be imposed as early as September. Why? Because the election marathon starts in the United States - the elections to the Senate and Congress, which will end next November.
Democrats will actively use the "Ukrainian card" against Trump, turning the situation into an analog of "Afghanistan" and demonstrating that America has bent to Russia. Trump realizes that the defeat of the Republicans will lead to impeachment already in the second year of his presidency. Therefore, the interests of the party and his personal ambitions will eventually outweigh - sanctions will be imposed. Now he will try to negotiate something with Putin, while discussing other topics.
- What other real goals does Putin pursue at the meeting in Alaska and will he be able to influence Trump's position on Ukraine?
- Putin needs a pause and at the same time an opportunity to break out of international isolation. Meetings with Third World leaders are no substitute for a seat at the big table with the world's strongest politicians. He is not satisfied with talks with the president of Eritrea or the crown prince of an Arab country. He wants to sit at the same table with the presidents of the United States, France, Germany. Now he is isolated, and this meeting with Trump is the first step to return to the elite of world politics.
This is Putin's main goal. And for Trump, the peace prize. If he imposes sanctions now, there will be no truce until October 10. Hence the whole logic of the process.
- How should Ukraine react if the US and Russia try to negotiate a ceasefire without Kiev's participation?
- If something is accepted without Ukraine, without its consent and presence at the negotiations - Kiev is not obliged to fulfill it.
History already knows such examples. On the night of September 30, 1938 in Munich met German Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, French Prime Minister Edouard Daladier and Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini.
They signed an agreement according to which Czechoslovakia within 10 days had to cede the Sudetenland to Germany. Under pressure from Poland and Hungary, clauses were added to cede them disputed territories. As a result, Czechoslovakia was divided, and soon Germany occupied Poland as well. This was the prologue to World War II.
The attempt to repeat the "Munich agreement" will now hit both Trump and the rating of the Republican Party in the US. Europe and Ukraine will see what is happening and draw direct historical parallels. Ukraine should not do anything that contradicts the Constitution and its national interests.
- What steps should the EU and Ukraine's allies take to prevent backroom deals between Washington and Moscow?"
- Everything lies on the surface. Finnish President Alexander Stubb, British Prime Minister Kierre Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni can dialog with Trump. These leaders are able to influence his position using authority, diplomacy, and tight communications.
Europe must make clear and confirm with budgets its willingness to help Ukraine in any case. If Russia realizes that the agreements with Trump are not supported by the EU and Europe is willing to continue funding Ukraine's defense, it will be a serious blow to the Kremlin.
Russia's tragedy is a victory for Ukraine and Europe. Just as the collapse of Nazi Germany was not regretted, the fall of the current Russian regime will be a boon to the world.
Therefore - pressure, sanctions, negotiations with Trump, and most importantly - words backed by money and weapons. This is the perfect recipe for "curing" this disease.