By Savva Michalarou

In a diplomatic thriller with protagonists from every corner of the globe and – for the first time – with the decisive intervention of European leaders, the crisis is evolving in the crisis. Ukraine. European leaders have decided to move intervention and risk, calling on Kiev on Saturday, Vladimir Putin, to accept unconditional truce 30 days. A Matt move, which caused a domino of developments and proved to the European capitals that the action is always much more “interesting” than in inactivity.

The example of Donald Trump It is characteristic. The US president has previously taken over the reins of the US, had already moved the threads, sparking chain reactions to a wide range of issues. From the rules of international trade and relations between states to the Middle Eastern and the War in Ukraine.

For the only time since the election of the US President, Europe has shown that … it exists, that it can determine developments, as long as it dares and not insist on the tactic of inactivity and atmosphere.

On Saturday, Public proposal from Macron, Merz, Starmer, Tusk and Zelenskiit has caused a series of developments, which are not excluded from leading, through one – the truth – extremely complex process, in a solution, to an exit, from the war to Ukraine. In order not to become graphic and dreamer, no one imagines that the process will be simple, easy or that it will have a fair ending.

Russia is not a mere “player”. It is a huge nuclear power, a country with sufficient self -sufficiency, incalculable nuclear and military power, a country with strengths that no one is able to appreciate on its right basis and we are very doubtful if any European country could withstand something similar.

What is going to be in a situation that – at least at this stage – does not seem to have a way out, let alone a fair ending, is unmistakable. The events of the last few hours, however, are capable of defining developments in the immediate future or in the deep future.

The move of European ‘willing’ on Saturday, caused Vladimir Putin’s reaction. The Russian president proposed, after midnight on Saturday, direct talks with Ukraine on the neutral territory of Constantinople. Indeed, he appointed them next Thursday as a day of their conduct.

However, the Russian president did not refer to a ceasefire, much more 30 days and even more unconditionally. Indeed, representatives of the Russian government have made it clear that the debate with Ukraine would not concern a ceasefire, but the “initial reasons” for which the Russian invasion of Ukraine took place.

In other words, Putin seeks to bring the discussion and any form of talks on his own, imposing the agenda himself and not the West or – much more – Kiev.

Ukrainian issue analysts have spoken of An attempt by Putin to divide Europe from the US. Judging by the immediate reaction of Washington and Donald Trump, the Russian goal has been achieved. Trump expressed, in a post on Trut Social, a place that is far from that of European “willing” and probably serving Vladimir Putin’s plans.

In his speech, the US president left Kiev that he might not want an agreement and publicly pressed Zelenski to accept the proposal for direct talks in Istanbul.

The question for Trump’s attitude is one: Was his post and attitude accidental?

Possibly not. Anyone who thinks Trump works in … luck is a mistake. It may be impulsive, it can be completely different from anything else we have known in politician, but its movements, every word, is not just accidental. Trump loves to challenge the gears. It follows his own reasoning -bodily or wrong will be judged by the result and ultimately history -does not follow rules and norms and acts as a businessman and not as a politician in the traditional sense.

Trump, therefore, seems not ready to sacrifice US direct talks with Russia about Ukraine. Yes, he wants to stop the war, but – and this is great “but” – he will in no way risk normalizing relations with Russia. “Why” will also be proven by the evolution of history and will be judged for it. It may be about his own jobs. Another interpretation is that he really believes in normalizing relations with Russia. There is also a third interpretation, much more … selfish, but – let’s forget – this is Trump. According to this latest analysis, the Republican President’s motivation may be much more personal, as one of his goals is none other than the Nobel Peace Prize, which if we look back on the pale, has not hidden in his statements. All of the above will be shown and proved by the story.

So after the Putin counter -proposal and the Trump interventionthere are two new elements on Ukraine’s chessboard: First, Europe again went out of the game-at least at the level that appeared on Saturday-and Turkey entered, after Erdogan-Putin’s communication.

Secondly, Putin, with Trump’s contribution, managed to put the new agenda and reverse the field created by the unexpectedly bold movement of Europeans. The Russian president restored the agenda to the base that Russia wants to discuss and ruled out the ceasefire before there was any development in direct talks.

The diplomatic thriller, however, was not exhausted with the new Trump intervention. A few minutes after the US president’s post, Volodimir Zelenski rushed to react. Trump’s spikes to Kiev were pregnant with a great danger. Returning to the pre-breeding of the “willing” situation, that is, Trump accusing Zelenski of not wanting peace.

Zelenski attempted the Grossos BaySaying, “I will wait for Putin in Constantinople on Thursday”, betting on one given: it is not certain that Putin means direct negotiations with his presence.

The chess for Ukraine has long started, but the game seems to be taking on much more serious dimensions, as movements on each side are increasingly limited. Russia is playing with its military superiority, with the territories it has already conquered, with Trump who does not seem willing to escalate against her – on the contrary – and with a Europe that does not dare and cannot seriously threaten Moscow.

Ukraine, if we want to be honest, has few to minimal papers in her hands. The only way out is the support of the US and – very much – of Europe. Weapon reinforcement does not return the lost territories. At best, it can only stop the further Russian expansion.

The week that begins, then, is perhaps the most critical for the next developments, from the beginning of the … Trump process. Where and if it will lead somewhere? Unmistakable. But in any case, the action is preferable to the inaction to resolve a matter. Europe seems to have understood it at a rate. But has the courage to continue? Everything will be judged in the field … in the case of Ukraine, both in the field of battles and diplomatic.