Trump-Putin summit in Alaska
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Jean-François Ratelle (English & French)
Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences
Professor Ratelle's expertise touches on Ukraine and Russian politics and military conflicts.
“U.S. President Donald Trump, meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, is pursuing geopolitical and economic gains for the U.S. while excluding Ukraine from discussions about its future.”
Errol Mendes (English only)
Full Professor, Common Law Section, Faculty of Law and former Director, Human Rights Research and Education Centre
[email protected]
Professor Mendes’ expertise touches on constitutional and human rights law, corporate law, global governance, public international law (including humanitarian and international criminal law).
“Reliable sources suggest that Trump's potential deal with Putin may resemble the Munich Agreement with Hitler. Trump's negotiator, Steve Witkoff, indicated that both leaders might propose to Ukraine a de facto acceptance of Russia's annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea—regions that comprise about 20% of Ukraine. In return, Russia might withdraw from other contested areas. However, experts warn that any ceasefire achieved would likely be unsustainable without significant security guarantees from European or NATO forces. If Ukraine yields under Trump's pressure, it could mirror the Chamberlain betrayal, given Putin's history and Trump's limited diplomatic acumen, which seems more focused on boosting his chances for a Nobel Peace Prize.”
Dominique Arel (English & French)
Chair of Ukrainian Studies and Associate Professor, School of Political Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences
[email protected]
Professor Arel’s expertise includes Political Violence and Human Rights; Language politics, nationalism, and the politics of memory; Politics in East Central Europe and Eurasia; Politics in Ukraine; & the politics of the census.