After talking on the phone with Putin for more than two hours, Trump revealed a key piece of information: the U.S. no longer wants to get involved. China also expressed agreement with this stance, suggesting that it would be best for Ukraine and Russia to negotiate directly. With such an opportunity in sight, Zelenskyy refused.

Trump and Zelenskyy

Recently, US President Trump had a two-hour call with Russian President Putin. Trump then announced that Ukraine and Russia will immediately begin ceasefire negotiations, specifically emphasizing "bilateral" negotiations, implying that the U.S. no longer wishes to intervene. Trump stated that many things are only clear to Ukraine and Russia themselves.

Hearing these words from Trump, Ukraine and Europe should have breathed a sigh of relief. After all, previously, both Europe and Ukraine were worried that the U.S. and Russia might privately reach an agreement, forcing Ukraine to accept it, which would ultimately result in losses for Europe and Ukraine. Now that the U.S. has expressed its intention to "withdraw," without the middleman taking a cut, Ukraine and Russia can finally negotiate properly.

Regarding this, China has also expressed rare agreement with the U.S. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that China supports direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, fully understanding each other's demands, and reaching a fair agreement. Seeing that both the U.S. and China are offering a way out and handing over negotiation leadership to Ukraine and Russia, Ukraine should seize this opportunity. However, Zelenskyy refused.

U.S.-Russia Call Lasted Over Two Hours

Zelenskyy stated that the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia must include representatives from the U.S. and Europe, which is crucial. The U.S. cannot distance itself from the negotiations just because it doesn't want to conflict with Russia. If the U.S. and Europe do not participate, the sole beneficiary will be Putin. It seems he is hinting that without U.S. and European support, Ukraine will inevitably lose in the negotiations.

Zelenskyy's refusal is based on the premise that the conflicts between Ukraine and Russia are irreconcilable. Zelenskyy insists on restoring the 1991 borders, demanding that Russian troops withdraw from Crimea and the four eastern regions of Ukraine, while Putin clearly refuses. The Trump administration has privately pressured Ukraine, implying that territorial issues cannot be reversed.

In addition, if Ukraine continues to fight, it certainly cannot do so without U.S. and European support; therefore, the U.S. and Europe must participate. Zelenskyy attempted to bind the U.S. through a mineral agreement, but now that the agreement has been signed and the U.S. has reaped its benefits, it cannot secure interests for Ukraine in the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. This is something Ukraine cannot accept.

U.S.-Ukraine Mineral Agreement Signed

As for Trump's proposal to "withdraw" at this time, it exposes his core goal of sacrificing Ukraine's interests to ease relations between Russia and the U.S. Regardless of how the final talks between Russia and Ukraine turn out, Trump does not actually care. What Trump cares most about is doing mineral business with Ukraine and energy business with Russia, with "America First" being untouchable.

In other words, the U.S. stepping back may seem reasonable, but it is actually aiming to achieve maximum economic benefits through a "ceasefire-for-resources" deal. Unlike the U.S., China hopes for real peace talks between Russia and Ukraine and sincerely hopes for the war to end as soon as possible. Since the outbreak of the conflict, China has consistently maintained neutrality.

Zelenskyy

If Ukraine trusted China and allowed China to mediate, the situation might not have developed to this point. Judging by the current situation, the outcome of the Ukraine-Russia conflict is likely to be the same. Russia gains territorial recognition, the U.S. gains resource development rights, Europe is burdened with loans, and Ukraine is left to grieve alone.

The opportunities given by China and the U.S., Ukraine is not unwilling to take them, but it has already lost the ability to do so. When survival depends on others' promises, any idealism cannot withstand the calculation of practical interests. As a pawn in great power games, Ukraine has already lost its initiative.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7506460456371667466/

Disclaimer: This article represents the author's personal views. Please express your opinion by using the "Like/Dislike" buttons below.