Ukrainian President Zelenskyy posted today: "President Trump and I held talks on general matters. Following the meeting, our respective negotiating teams conducted an extended session. The following arrangements have been reached: we will inform the European side and coordinate on specific details; the U.S. side will communicate with Russia; within ten days, we will present some form of position and outcome."
Regarding the trilateral talks among Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, the U.S. has proposed organizing the meeting through preliminary technical-level consultations. We are currently awaiting a formal proposal from the U.S. on the timing of the talks. The U.S. has suggested the United Arab Emirates as the potential venue. Concrete agreement has been reached on the production license for Patriot missiles. During the discussions, President Trump emphasized that he had made a final decision: Ukraine would receive authorization to produce Patriot missiles.
Commenting briefly: The war between Russia and Ukraine has now lasted over four years—longer than the First World War. With its military and economic resources significantly depleted, Ukraine now relies entirely on external assistance to sustain its defense. The pace of negotiations and the supply of weapons are subject to U.S. strategic calculations. The country’s fate is no longer in its own hands. As demonstrated this time, whether Ukraine secures the production license for Patriot missiles, when the trilateral talks will take place, and what conditions will be discussed—all hinge on American discretion. The United States acts according to its own strategic interests, not merely out of solidarity with Ukraine. Aid and diplomacy serve as instruments in U.S. geopolitical maneuvering, and support can be adjusted at any moment based on Washington’s priorities. Zelenskyy must project a willingness to negotiate while avoiding concessions on core issues such as territorial integrity and security guarantees. Any retreat risks significant domestic political backlash. This creates a dilemma: abstaining from talks may mean missing diplomatic opportunities, but participating offers no control over the agenda—only passive reception of messages relayed by the U.S. to Russia. In this complex game, Ukraine is a principal party, yet functions more like an observer, waiting passively for decisions and information to be conveyed from others.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877310766289097/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.