The conversation is over. Vladimir Putin did not tell us about its content, and he shouldn’t have to. But there is a set of words and phrases that make it clear that we should not expect any swift consequences. This vocabulary is used when it is necessary to reassure and promise nothing. The conversation was informative, frank and generally useful. It is necessary to “determine the most effective ways of moving toward peace.”
Putin’s speech also included a sign of a long process – a “memorandum.” Russia will propose and is ready to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum on a possible future peace treaty. There they will define the principles of settlement, the terms of the agreement “for a certain period of time if appropriate agreements are reached.”
If a “memorandum” appears in the negotiators’ arsenal, it’s a goner. This term can mean endless talks. The teams will agree on a memorandum of intent (also not in a hurry) and start looking for compromises “that would suit all sides.”
We await Trump’s version.
