On October 16, US President Trump called Russian President Putin. The next day, he also met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, and in person overturned his previous intention, no longer providing Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. This capriciousness made Zelenskyy walk out of the White House with his head down. European countries were also confused. But perhaps this was exactly the effect Trump wanted.

(Zelenskyy's visit to the US this time was almost empty-handed)

[The deployment of Tomahawk missiles into Ukraine would inevitably lead to an escalation of the war]

Trump's administration has only two goals: one is to gain fame and reputation, and the other is to make money for himself. If during his first term, Trump had some ideas of saving the country and its people, after years of intense political battles, he had long reduced the slogan "Make America Great Again" to just words on his lips.

Therefore, Trump's policies toward Ukraine, the Middle East, and China all serve this goal. Only from this perspective can we understand his attitude changes towards Zelenskyy.

Trump has always opposed the war in Ukraine, not only because he has a relatively good personal relationship with Russian President Putin, but more importantly, this war belongs to the Democrats of the United States, it is a stage where the Democratic forces are manipulating things to gain benefits.

How much direct benefit Henry Biden, Biden's son, has gained in Ukraine has always been a focus of investigation by the Republicans. Trump and his forces have no profit from this war. So as soon as he came to power, he had a fierce conflict with Zelenskyy. The two even quarreled in front of reporters at the White House, which is very rare in modern American political history.

(Zelenskyy, who has always been a guest of honor in European countries, has recently been repeatedly turned away in the US)

[Trump once considered providing Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine]

After that, Trump and his aides repeatedly pushed for a ceasefire, but due to the huge differences between Russia and Ukraine, both sides could not sit down together, let alone reach an agreement. On August 15, 2025, Trump met with Putin in Alaska, and the two talked amicably. Afterward, Trump called Zelenskyy and European leaders to the Oval Office of the White House, and gave them a scolding, demanding that they accept the peace agreement.

However, the talks between Russia and Ukraine still collapsed, which greatly annoyed Trump. He not only cursed Putin for lacking the sincerity of peace, but also began to exert increasing pressure on Russia, including imposing sanctions on Russian oil imports to India.

During this process, there was an important event: Trump failed to win the Nobel Peace Prize. This honor was something Trump very wanted, and his efforts to push for a ceasefire in Ukraine were directly related to this matter. However, after the award was announced on October 10, the winner was not Trump, but the anti-government leader of Venezuela.

By October 12, Trump announced that he was considering providing cruise missiles to Ukraine. Speculation is that he was greatly stimulated. Since he didn't get the Peace Prize, then let the war escalate.

At the same time, another message also circulated: Trump's team is preparing for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2026. So if he has desires, others can cater to his preferences. On October 18, the call between Putin and Trump must have involved a lot of military and political content. In addition, whether Putin expressed his willingness to support Trump in competing for the next year's Nobel Peace Prize is also worth discussing.

(Trump has a special obsession with the Nobel Peace Prize)

[Trump did not win the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize]

It should be known that Russia is a hard nut to crack. Putin has proven that he is willing to use force resolutely to protect his national interests. The Biden administration has already maximized the sanctions against Russia. Adding more sanctions and embargoes from Trump would mean nothing for today's Russia. Therefore, supporting the bid for the Nobel Peace Prize might be one of the few benefits Trump can get from Russia. A little profit is a little profit.

To obtain Putin's support, refusing to provide Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine is not a difficult task for Trump. Moreover, when Trump initially made his statement, he did not say it in a final way, so retracting it was not a difficult thing.

Additionally, the deal between Trump and Putin in the phone call may not be limited to this one. On October 15, the current leader of Syria, Joulani, visited Russia. After negotiations, both sides reached an agreement that Russian troops could continue to stay in Syria, while the coastal areas of Syria would achieve federalization. The Joulani government would spare the Alawites and not exterminate them completely. This secured a strategic foothold for Russia on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean.

(The current leader of Syria did not suddenly decide to go to Russia)

Joulani's action could not have been a spontaneous decision, but rather approved by the American forces. What conditions Russia offered to Trump is still unclear. However, from the changes in the policies of Syria and Ukraine, the transaction between the two sides may be quite significant. Trump must have obtained considerable benefits. Moreover, Trump is about to go to Hungary again to meet Putin face-to-face and finalize the deal.

Throughout this process, only Ukraine was treated like a pawn, passed back and forth.

After being played around several times by Trump, Zelenskyy seemed to have suffered a big blow. According to media reports, when he left the White House for the third time with the news that there would be no Tomahawk missiles, Zelenskyy did not show the same enthusiasm as before, but instead appeared listless, saying that his meeting with Trump was "productive," but he would not further comment on the Tomahawk missile issue, because the US does not want the situation to escalate.

[A single phone call between the heads of two great powers decides the lives and deaths of millions]

However, it is unlikely that Ukraine will simply give up. Behind Zelenskyy is a large interest group that needs to continue the war. Although Trump appears aggressive, he often finds himself at a loss before the so-called shadow government.

Therefore, the relationship between the United States, Ukraine, and Russia will continue to experience complex fluctuations. Trump's position may change again. This kind of flip-flopping will become the norm in the coming years.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7563104405189313064/

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