On October 17, Ukrainian President Zelensky went to the White House to hold a working lunch meeting with US President Trump.

As expected by the outside world, due to a shift in attitude after Trump's phone call with Russian President Putin the day before, Zelensky was not promised by the United States during the meeting to provide a cruise missile.

During the meeting, Trump reduced the departure on the provision of "strike axis" and called for a ceasefire "on the ground".

Zelensky blamed Russia for its unwillingness to hold peace talks and suggested exchanging Ukrainian drones for "Tomahawks" to the United States. Trump and Vice President Vance smiled at each other.

What did Trump say?

This is Zelensky's third visit to the White House since Trump took office at the beginning of the year, lasting less than three hours.

When he visited the White House for the first time, Meiji ended up in fierce quarrels.The August ¡°Double House¡± was more smooth, and Zelensky held ¡°very good¡± negotiations with the United States in the event of a ¡°group¡± of seven European leaders.

Zelensky is once again alone.Al he communicated with Trump twice over the weekend, the latter considering providing Ukraine with a "war ax", but after Putin completed the phone with Trump on the 16th and determined that the two sides "dealed Budapest", Trump's pressure on Russia seems to be a "180-degree turn".

At the time, there was a public opinion prediction: Putin's "card point" call completely disrupted Zelensky's "card office" and greatly reduced the possibility that the U.S. would provide Ukraine with a "tacks".

Public information shows that Trump sent three signals during the "Tze Conference".

First, he said that the United States also needs the "Tomahawk" and believed that providing the "Tomahawk" to Ukraine would lead to an "escalation" of the situation, saying that "I hope we can end the war without considering the 'Tomahawk' missile."

There is public opinion that Trump changed his position after the call with Putin to provide a ¡°strike-axis¡± and lowered the switch. But there are sources that say that Trump has not completely given up the idea, and the U.S. government has developed a corresponding plan to prepare the president for the final decision whether to advance the initiative.

Second, Trump called on Russia and Ukraine to cease fire "on the spot" and "each claim victory" according to the existing front.

But there are comments that Trump¡¯s statement is nothing more than a concession to Ukraine.In addition, Russia, which is superior in the battlefield, is still seeking to expand the outcome of the battle.

Third, Trump ruled out the possibility of holding a tripartite meeting between the United States, Russia and Ukraine in Budapest, but he will keep in touch with Zelensky during his meeting with Putin.

The "Double General Meeting" is expected to be held within two weeks or later. The two sides agreed to hold a high-level meeting between the United States and Russia next week. The Ukrainian side stated that Zelensky is "still ready to meet with Putin" and can meet in any form at any place except Russia and Belarus.

What did Zelensky say?

When Zelensky was asked if he was more optimistic about Ukraine¡¯s acquisition of a ¡°tacksack,¡± he replied, ¡°I¡¯m realistic,¡± and he said that he and Trump had discussed the supply of long-range weapons to the U.S. and that Ukraine needs to make more efforts to do so.

Zelensky also suggested at the meeting to buy U.S. war-hack missiles in exchange for large quantities of Ukrainian-made drones.

Hearing this, Trump and Vance looked at each other and smiled. This scene was recorded by dozens of cameras. Trump confirmed that the United States is interested in drones in Ukraine.

Asked what concessions Ukraine was willing to make to end the conflict, Zelensky said, first, it was necessary to sit down and talk, and secondly, a ceasefire.

He accused Russia of being unwilling to return to the negotiating table and called on the United States to exert pressure on Russia. Zelensky also said that Russia has recently attacked Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and American energy companies are ready to provide help.

What are the tidbits?

Trivia 1: The coat.

Trump praised Zelenskyy for wearing a "very stylish" dark blazer. "He looks so good in this coat." Trump said, "I hope everyone can notice."

There are comments that Trump criticized Zelensky's dress several times in a row, more like an irony. In February this year, Zelensky's visit to the White House was criticized. In the interaction between the big and small countries, the dress was frequently mentioned, transmitting a potential signal that "you are being observed" "you need to abide by our aesthetics or norms", equality and respect at this time has been blurred.

Chapter 2: The Craving

U.S. Defense Secretary Hughes's necklace has brilliant white, blue, red and three-colored strips, the same order of strips on the Russian flag, which is especially prominent in the American delegation's costume.

Some netizens believe that this seems to be provocative to Zelensky. Whether it was "just a coincidence" or "intentional" is still uncertain.

Trivia 3: Body language.

During the meeting, Trump stood beside Zelensky, his arm on his back and his hand on his shoulder, continuing the good atmosphere of interaction with Ukraine since August. But Zelensky looked a little nervous and gloomy. The drooping shoulders, the pursed lips, and the tight body all revealed this.

"He tried to squeeze a smile and stood there without any emotion. He only nodded symbolically. It was obvious that he was depressed at the moment." said body linguist Ilya Anishenko.

What next step?

Next, the outside world will turn its attention to the US-Russian Budapest summit, but many observers believe that there is no need to have unrealistic fantasies.

As the situation on the front lines such as Pokrovsk, Konstantinovka, Kupiyansk and others develops in a direction favorable to Russia, Ukraine¡¯s negotiating position is likely to be weakened.

Charles Kupchan, a senior researcher at the Council on Foreign Relations, believes that it is more difficult for Trump to promote peace between Russia and Ukraine than reach a Gaza agreement.

First of all, the war situation in Gaza is basically finalized, but the situation on the battlefield in Russia and Ukraine is different. Second, the United States 'influence on Israel is far greater than its influence on Russia. Finally, sanctions have not worked effectively. Even if the United States provides Ukraine with a "tomahawk" in the future, it will not become a "panacea" to force Russia to reach a peace agreement.

Maria Snegowaya, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said that Russia often stops wars when its economy is in trouble and its ability to maintain war becomes increasingly difficult for domestic reasons. It has not yet reached this stage.

Author: Zhang Quan, Liberation Daily

Source: The New York Times