【By Observer Net, Chen Sijia】On August 18 local time, US President Trump held a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and European leaders. On the surface, the meeting seemed to "go smoothly," with Trump stating his willingness to provide security guarantees for Ukraine. He and Zelenskyy smiled in a group photo, and European leaders called the meeting "beyond expectations."

The American Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) noted on the 19th that specific details of the security guarantee remained undisclosed, with significant uncertainty.

The Hong Kong South China Morning Post published an article on the 19th, stating that while European leaders were "relieved," the US commitment faced external doubts. Analysts believe that apart from the "vague assurances" regarding security, Europeans actually gained nothing.

"Trump and Zelenskyy discussed a map"

After the meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy and European leaders appeared very "excited." Zelenskyy said: "This was our best meeting. I could show the US leadership a lot about the battlefield situation, even on a map." Mertz also stated: "My expectations were not only met but exceeded."

For Ukraine and Europe, the most important outcome was the US willingness to provide security guarantees for Ukraine. Zelenskyy announced: "Security guarantees may be finalized by our partners, and more details will be gradually released. These contents will be formally finalized in writing within the next one to ten days." He stated that territorial issues related to the peace agreement would be resolved through negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

Fox News disclosed that during the meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy discussed a map showing the current front lines of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the areas controlled by Russia. Trump might have used this map to discuss which territories Ukraine could give up in exchange for peace. A source said that the US-EU security guarantee might push Ukraine to make concessions on territory.

Fox News pointed out that the issue of territory is a core element of the negotiation, but "giving up territory" remains a very sensitive topic in Ukraine, as Ukrainian officials and citizens are unwilling to make concessions in this regard.

Additionally, Trump sought to promote a trilateral meeting among the US, Ukraine, and Russia. Trump revealed that after the meeting, he called Putin to begin arranging a "meeting between President Putin and President Zelenskyy, location to be determined." He said that if this happened, the next step would be a "trilateral meeting." If successful, it could lead to the end of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump said the conflict would end, but he could not say when.

Trump told Fox News that he believes Putin's action plan will become clear in the coming weeks.

"Honestly, I don't think this will be a problem (reaching a peace agreement). I think Putin has had enough. I think they've all had enough, but you never know," Trump said.

"We'll find out about President Putin in the coming weeks... He may not want to reach an agreement," Trump said.

Trump believes the relationship between Putin and Zelenskyy might get "a little better," otherwise he wouldn't have pushed for a one-on-one meeting. "I hope President Putin behaves well; if he doesn't, the situation will be tough. At the same time, I hope... President Zelenskyy does what he should do, and he must show some flexibility," Trump said.

On August 18 local time, Trump and Zelenskyy met at the White House, Reuters

"The US doesn't give things, sells weapons"

The American Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) pointed out that the specific details of the security guarantee remain undisclosed. Trump only mentioned in a press conference that Europe would "bear a lot of burdens," but the US would help make it "very safe."

The Wall Street Journal cited information from European officials that Ukraine proposed to purchase $100 billion worth of American weapons under European funding. Western security guarantees for Ukraine will include four aspects: military presence, air defense, armaments, and monitoring the ceasefire. The US can provide indirect military support to the "peacekeeping forces" in various ways.

Fox News pointed out that before the meeting, Trump did not rule out the possibility of the US military participating in the guarantee, but later emphasized that Europe would bear the main responsibility for defending Ukraine. Trump reiterated that he believes US support should be achieved through arms sales rather than a package aid program, "We won't give anything, we are selling weapons."

French President Macron hinted on the 19th: "We are working hard to advance the first security guarantee, which is also the most important one - a strong Ukrainian army composed of hundreds of thousands of people, well-equipped, with defensive systems and higher standards. Second, 'security forces,' Britain, France, Germany, Turkey, and other countries are ready to take action at any time - not on the front line, not in a provocative way, but in the air, sea, and land."

Macron said this move aims to send a "strategic signal," indicating that "Ukraine's peace is a matter of concern for us."

However, Jaroslava Barbieri, a researcher at the Royal Institute for International Affairs, pointed out that there are still many unknowns in the meeting results. "There are still many uncertainties regarding security guarantees, details, who will do what, where the deployed forces will be stationed, how long they will stay, and which countries will participate in the actions."

"Useless talks will become the root of misunderstandings"

Other analysts have also questioned the security guarantees. Former French ambassador to the US, Gérard Araud, said that the summit had almost no clear agenda and no written conclusions, which seemingly looked spontaneous but was actually a negative signal.

Araud posted on social media: "Without preparatory meetings, without specific issues to resolve, without a joint statement, and without diplomatic records of decisions, such diplomacy often ends up as useless talk, becoming the root of various misunderstandings. Worse still, this is not only useless but may also backfire."

Donnacha Ó Beachain, a political expert at Dublin City University in Ireland, believes that unlike Russian President Putin, Europe did not change Trump's mind. "These security guarantees even lack paper value." He pointed out that apart from some vague assurances regarding security, "Europeans got nothing." Ó Beachain added: "What was mentioned is so vague that it is almost worthless... This makes me feel a rupture in the relationship - Europeans don't understand that things are over."

Gabrielius Landsbergis, former Lithuanian foreign minister, said that Europe tried to make their voices heard, but they couldn't exert influence. "It's more like Europe agreeing, 'we are in a very weak position, we must try to please President Trump, we have no leverage to put on the negotiating table.'"

Europe may prepare for the security guarantee. On the evening of the 19th, a video conference of the "willingness alliance" for Ukraine, led by the UK and France with participation from over 30 countries, took place. On the same day, the European Council also held a special meeting to inform other European governments about the content of the Washington meeting.

A British government spokesperson said that the "willingness alliance" meeting agreed that a planning team would meet with US officials in the coming days to discuss plans for deploying "security forces" to advance Ukraine's security guarantee. The spokesperson said: "European leaders also discussed how to further pressure Putin, including through sanctions, until he shows readiness to take action to end the conflict."

Regarding the security guarantee topics discussed by Western countries, the Russian Foreign Ministry reiterated on the 19th that any NATO deployment of troops within Ukraine is absolutely unacceptable, which would lead to a sharp escalation of the situation and cause unforeseen consequences. The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that the meeting between Russian and US leaders showed a comprehensive, fair, and sustainable intention to resolve the Ukraine conflict, and the statements from Europe would undermine the efforts of Russia and the US.

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