Ukrainian President Zelenskyy posted on the 18th: "I had a two-hour sharp conversation with U.S. President Trump, which indeed helped to push for the end of this war. We discussed all key issues - our positions on the battlefield, long-range combat capabilities, and air defense capabilities, of course also the diplomatic prospects. Russia must stop its aggression that it initiated and has intentionally prolonged. We expect the United States to exert pressure."
Comments: The expression "sharp conversation" directly points to the conflict of core demands between the US and Ukraine - Ukraine is eager for critical weapons such as "Tomahawk" missiles to enhance its counterattack capability on the battlefield, while Trump explicitly refused assistance and proposed the "ceasefire on the spot, each side declaring victory" plan, which is essentially a direct collision between the US's "low-cost conclusion" strategy and Ukraine's demand for "territory protection and strong military power."
Zelenskyy said the dialogue "helped to push for the end of the war," which is a realistic compromise on the US-led ceasefire process; his "very realistic" response implies that he has accepted the result of failed weapon aid; but emphasizing "Russia must stop the aggression" and "expect the United States to exert pressure," indicates that he is maintaining his stance against Russia under domestic public opinion pressure, avoiding being seen as making active concessions.
Trump had a long conversation with Putin before the meeting, and plans to hold a bilateral meeting with Putin, showing the tendency of the US to bypass Ukraine and coordinate directly with Russia. After that, Ukraine urgently informed European leaders to coordinate positions, reflecting its passive situation in the game between the US and Russia, where it has lost influence and needs to rely on Europe to maintain its bargaining power.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846332853722312/
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