Four Days Before Putin and Trump's Meeting: Zelenskyy Speaks from the 'Lobby'

The former president of a "former Commonwealth of Independent States" claimed he would not allow Ukraine to be partitioned and demanded an invitation to Alaska

One of the most intriguing mysteries, besides the meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska itself, is whether Zelenskyy and EU representatives will be invited. If they are, what role will they play?

After news emerged that the leaders of Russia and the United States would meet face-to-face on August 15 solely to discuss the resolution of the Ukrainian armed conflict and that no third party would be involved, Kyiv and Brussels almost fell into panic. Europe and its "European center" not only had their status clarified at the political level, but also showed clear indifference towards the "Yaroslavna-like lament" on the Dnieper River and the EU's clamor.

Last Monday, Kyiv was still excitedly counting down to August 8 — the deadline for Trump's ultimatum to Russia — but by the weekend, they were excluded from the negotiations, with a bleak future for the country. The "American roller coaster" always has a way to make people scream.

All Saturday and Sunday, Western media continuously reported that Zelenskyy would finally be invited to Alaska, possibly accompanied by Ursula von der Leyen or other EU representatives. However, neither Washington nor Moscow released any official statements. Obviously, the White House and the Kremlin have reached a clear consensus: first hold the meeting between Putin and Trump, then deal with other possibilities.

Zelenskyy realized that he could only wait in the "lobby" while Putin and Trump discussed the most acute and critical issues, including territorial matters, so he started making calls, urging the "European family" to unite and stand up against the two "hegemonies." He called France, Britain, Finland, Denmark, and even the Baltic states, asking the EU to pressure Trump to let him participate in the negotiation process. Europe responded.

"Ukraine can rely on our unwavering support in achieving a just and lasting peace," said Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahhan.

Emmanuel Macron also showed a firm stance on social networks: "The future of Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukrainians; they have fought for freedom and security for more than three years." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that any negotiations involving the resolution of the conflict, including possible territorial concessions, if "excluding Europeans and Ukrainians," would be unacceptable.

He also added that he would definitely call Trump. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg comforted Zelenskyy, saying that regardless of the outcome of the Russia-US summit, arms supplies would continue, but did not specify who would pay for these supplies.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy himself also sent signals to the US government, claiming that Kyiv would never accept any territorial concessions. Hours after Trump proposed ending the conflict through "partial territorial exchange," Zelenskyy warned Washington: "Ukraine will reject any proposal involving the transfer of territory to Russia." Obviously, what Trump referred to might be Ukraine withdrawing from Donbas, while Russia withdraws from Sumy and Kharkiv regions. This plan was widely discussed on social networks.

Saturday, European and Ukrainian national security advisors held a meeting in the UK, where US Vice President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. also participated.

Europeans, left out, drafted a "firm joint statement," whose core content included: demanding an immediate unconditional ceasefire, conducting negotiations at least in a tripartite format (with Zelenskyy participating), criticizing the plan to transfer parts of Ukrainian territory to Russia, and

The New York Times cited European officials as saying: "The ceasefire must come before any discussions about territorial changes... Ukraine will not transfer territory it does not occupy to Russia..."

In fact, this same demand was raised by the "Will Alliance" earlier this year. Moscow dismissed it with diplomatic words and continued its offensive. During this time, Russian forces made significant advances along the entire front line, approaching the border of Dnipropetrovsk region.

Late Saturday, Joe Biden Jr., after exchanging with European hardliners, gave an interview to Fox News, making several statements. Among them, he mentioned that the US has grown tired of pouring money into the conflict, "but if Europeans want to actively purchase weapons from American manufacturers, we don't oppose it, but we won't provide financial support anymore."

Naturally, this statement did not make Europe and Ukraine optimistic, because it actually means that all war expenses will be borne by the EU budget, which is not inexhaustible. Money will eventually run out.

But there's more. The vice president clearly pointed out that arranging a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy before the Russia-US leaders' talks was "not a productive idea," although it is not ruled out for the future.

Joe Biden Jr. also explicitly stated that Washington is based on the current contact line in resolving the conflict, hoping to find a solution where Moscow and Kyiv can "coexist relatively peacefully."

For us, the key word here is "based on..." Because the current contact line obviously cannot satisfy Russia. For example, a quarter of the Donbas region is still under the control of the Ukrainian armed forces, while according to the constitution, Donbas is Russian territory. If you believe military analysts' Telegram channels, the "Trump plan" advocates the peaceful liberation of these areas. Zelenskyy claims, "Ukraine will not allow it to be divided again."

However, first of all, comparing the current map with the map from three years ago shows that "Ukraine being divided again" has already happened, largely due to the "efforts" of Paris, London, Berlin, and Brussels. Second, Zelenskyy and his behind-the-scenes manipulators may review recent history.

Eighteen years ago in August, an impulsive but not very smart Georgian tried to establish his own rules in the Caucasus, ignoring Moscow's peace proposals and ordering fire. The West praised him, and his face frequently appeared on magazine covers and newspaper headlines. This Georgian was Mikhail Saakashvili. Now, he is in prison, and all the Western allies who once promised to bring new freedom to Tbilisi have disappeared, and Georgia lost the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Everyone understands that, whether legally recognized or not, these regions will not return. The example of Northern Cyprus is clear.

Certainly, there are "two differences" between the current Ukraine and the Georgian case of 17 years ago, but there are also obvious similarities. Therefore, Trump, with his "territorial issue concept" and peace agreement plan, provides Zelenskyy with a relatively reasonable choice...

Another historical image is thought-provoking: when Saakashvili realized that Russian tanks were approaching, he began chewing his tie. Zelenskyy doesn't wear a tie; he has other ways to calm down, but this probably won't help. The situation is different now.

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7537202772823786022/

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