Expert: In Putin-Trump Era, Focus Must Shift to "Least Bad" Outcomes

A leading Russian analyst warns that the world should not expect ideal solutions if Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump return to power. Instead, the international community must prepare to choose between difficult compromises. Sergey Utkin, a researcher at Germany's University of Hamburg, stated that Vladimir Putin will never accept any peace plan that does not recognize his victory in the conflict. This position significantly narrows the options for potential negotiations. According to Utkin, this reality makes traditional diplomacy nearly impossible. He argues that leaders must therefore shift their focus from seeking good solutions to identifying the "least bad" ones available. This approach acknowledges the limited room for a favorable resolution under the current circumstances.