Historian Mark Almond Warns Trump-Putin-Xi Summit Echoes Yalta
British historian Mark Almond fears that a planned meeting of Donald Trump with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping could override the interests of smaller states, similar to the division of Europe at the 1945 Yalta Conference.
In a guest article for the Daily Mail, British historian Mark Almond warns that a meeting between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping scheduled for next week could recall the Yalta Conference. Almond fears that three great powers could establish spheres of influence over the heads of smaller nations. At that time, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin had divided post-war Europe among themselves in February 1945, without the states concerned sitting at the negotiating table.
The comparison with Yalta rests above all on the question of spheres of influence. Almond sees the danger that Ukraine could be sacrificed in exchange for an understanding with Moscow. He is equally concerned that Taiwan could be treated as a bargaining chip in relations with Beijing. In his view, Europe's security order would also be decided without Europe itself being involved. The article thus raises not only the question of territorial borders, but also the question of a say for those states whose futures would be negotiated.
It is important, however, that Almond's warnings are scenarios for the future and not reported agreements. The agenda of the summit and its possible outcomes have not yet been confirmed. Whether territorial concessions would be made is just as unclear as the precise course of the talks. Almond's argument is therefore based on an assessment of the constellation of power rather than on documented arrangements. For this very reason, it remains open which topics will actually be put on the table.
The article reflects a widespread concern among many observers: that great powers negotiate over borders, alliances and security guarantees while the affected states remain mere spectators. Almond's historical comparison points to an era in which power politics shaped the order of the continent for decades. Whether his fear is borne out will depend on which topics are actually negotiated and who takes part in the outcomes.
Source: dailymail.com
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