The war in Ukraine continues with the Russians constantly advancing and Kiev resisting strenuously but with difficulty. The spotlight of the international community remains on Donald Trump, who in two months will begin to dictate the new line of the post-Biden United States. It is no coincidence that the new Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte flew to Florida to see the tycoon , to take stock of the security challenges that the Alliance will be called upon to face.

Volodymyr Zelensky is also looking carefully at the next occupant of the White House. "I want to see his peace proposals," is the Ukrainian leader's line, marked by caution: his hope is that the US will not abandon Kiev, but his concern is that Washington will push for a ceasefire even at the cost of heavy territorial renunciations by Ukraine .

The Ukrainian dossier is connected to NATO's commitment alongside Kiev, but Trump has always shown impatience with European partners, accusing them of spending too little on defense. In this context, Rutte has decided to meet the American president-elect immediately, to try to keep the Atlantic front united. The former Dutch prime minister, who had a good relationship with Trump during his first term in the White House, stressed in their face-to-face meeting in Palm Beach that the defense of Ukraine is essential for the security of Europe and the United States.

For this reason, he emphasized those countries that threaten this security by "working together against Ukraine", such as "North Korea, Iran and China in addition to Russia". All these challenges will have to be faced "collectively", with a renewed unity of the West, was the message of Rutte, who also met with MP Mike Waltz, the national security advisor chosen by Trump: another tough nut to crack for Rutte, given the anti-NATO positions of the former Green Beret.

Zelensky also knows that Trump's decisions will be crucial for Ukraine's future. The Ukrainian leader, who has been able to count on massive economic and military support under Joe Biden, is waiting to see what the next president's plans are. "We are open, I think we will see them in January," Zelensky explained, leaving open the possibility that the conditions could be created to "end the war." His fear is that Trump wants to freeze the conflict by leaving the territories conquered so far to the Russians, offering in exchange generic security guarantees that do not, however, include Kiev's entry into NATO. The Ukrainian position remains that of a "UN Charter" that protects Ukraine's integrity. In the meantime, Zelensky could soon have a direct interlocutor from the US administration. Trump in fact has thought of Richard Grenell, his former intelligence chief, as a special envoy.

The crisis in Ukraine will also be at the center of the G7 foreign affairs meeting scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in Fiuggi , and on the eve of the meeting, Minister Antonio Tajani recalled that "since the beginning of the Italian presidency of the G7, we have defined our support for the Ukrainian people as a fundamental priority. And we will continue to support Kiev until a just peace is reached that fully respects Ukraine."

(Online Union)

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