Off the Record: Yalta 2.0 spells bad news for Europe in desperate need of a plan

Key Points:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a three-way summit with Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, aiming to recreate a Yalta-like agreement that would restore Russia’s global influence.
• The original 1945 Yalta Conference divided post-WWII Europe among the Allied powers, leading to Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe and the Cold War; Putin’s proposed summit risks repeating this by carving up spheres of influence without broader international consent.
• If Trump participates, it could represent a major strategic win for Russia while alienating U.S. allies, undermining NATO, and signaling a potential decline of Western unity and influence.
• European leaders are urged to develop their own peace plan for Ukraine, including appointing an envoy with a clear mandate to negotiate, securing funding, and addressing security guarantees to prevent being sidelined in any future agreements.
• The article warns that failing to engage proactively risks Europe losing control over its security and political future, emphasizing the need for transparent communication about the stakes involved for European citizens.