Trump's meeting with Zelensky in the White House was a fierce clash, and Ukraine's sought-after cruise missiles were directly rejected during the talks.
On October 17, Washington time, Ukraine President Zelensky and US President Trump held closed-door talks at the White House Temple.
This meeting failed to go as expected by Ukraine. Trump explicitly refused a request to provide Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine.
After the talks, Zelensky described this "sharp conversation" on social media. In contrast to Zelensky's description, Trump publicly stated after the talks that he strongly suggested that Russia and Ukraine reach an agreement and should stop on the spot.
White House meetings, diplomatic clashes.
Zelensky arrived in Washington with a clear goal in mind. He hoped to receive assistance from the United States with long-range missiles to strengthen Ukraine's strength in the conflict.
However, Trump's attitude directly dashed Zelensky's hopes. The Axios News Network of the United States quoted two years of conversations with people familiar with the matter as saying that Trump made it clear that he did not intend to supply long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The news also revealed that Zelensky once showed Trump a map containing some of the potential strike targets in Russian territory during the talks, trying to persuade the U.S. to provide long-range missiles.
Ukraine hopes to strike these targets to force Russia to end this conflict.
Changing attitude, Trump's strategic considerations
Trump's move before his visit to Zelensky has already indicated the end of the meeting. On October 16, Trump's conversation with Russian President Putin, both sides specifically discussed the crisis in Ukraine.
According to the Russian side's statement, Putin stressed that the U.S. side is providing missiles to Ukraine, which will not change the situation on the battlefield, but instead harms the U.S.-Russian relations.
After talks with Zelensky, Trump publicly stated that he strongly recommended that Russia and Ukraine reach an agreement,"they should stop there" and "each claim victory." This attitude also reflects that Trump's strategy on the Ukraine issue has been adjusted.
Relationship returns, and Miu gradually moves away.
This is Zelinsky's third visit to the White House this year, and Trump's attitude is getting colder every time.
During Zelensky’s visit to the White House on February 28 this year, both sides had a fierce quarrel in front of the media, resulting in Zelensky’s early departure.
Although the atmosphere of the meeting on August 18th eased, this October meeting talked about Trump not only refusing to provide missiles, but also ruling out the possibility of a recent meeting between the leaders of the United States, Russia and Ukraine.
The changes in U.S.-Ukraine relations are also reflected in the military aid negotiations, where Trump once spoke, considering providing tactical cruise missiles to Ukraine, but chose to reserve when the real decision time came.
Geopolitical chess game, Ukraine in the game of great powers
On Trump’s strategic plane, the restructuring of relations with Russia is occupying a more important position.
Trump will reset U.S.-Russia relations as a main line in his foreign policy and hopes to handle the Ukraine crisis on the basis of reset U.S.-Russia relations, a strategic shift that has also plunged Europe into a embarrassing position.
Zhang Yui, executive director of the Shanghai Russian Association of Central and Eastern Europe, pointed out that if Europe does not look for a new position or policy as soon as possible, Europe's influence in the resolution of the issue of Ukraine may be smaller and smaller.
Looking forward to the future, Zelensky's limited options
In the face of a shift in U.S. attitude, Zelensky was quick to talk to European leaders such as EU Commission President Von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Luther to coordinate each other’s stance.
Zelensky is also trying other options. The proposals he proposed include asking to join NATO, communicating with diplomacy to peacefully resolve conflicts, and raising the possibility of foreign military presence in Ukraine.
However, these options are very difficult in the current international environment. Trump's position on the issue of Ukraine has been very clear. He solves the problem through diplomatic rather than military means, and is unwilling to provide long-range offensive weapons to over-stimulate Russia.
When leaving the White House, the reporter asked Zelensky whether he was more optimistic about obtaining Tomahawk cruise missiles. His answer was: I am very realistic.
When asked if he would make concessions on the territorial issue, he said it was a sensitive and difficult issue.
The shift in U.S.-Ukrainian relations is reflected not only in the sharp dialogue in the conference room, but also in the fundamental adjustment of strategic considerations.
How do you think Ukraine should balance diplomatic negotiations with military defense in the face of current difficulties? Feel free to share your views in the comments section.
(This article provides comprehensive reference to authoritative media reports such as Russian news agency, US cable television news network, Axios news network)