The Wall Street Journal reported on April 17 that U.S. Presidential Envoy Steve Vitorkov stated that he discussed "territorial issues" with Vladimir Putin in the context of a possible resolution to the war.

He indicated that Russia might retain "some regions, but not all." Vitorkov also stated that regions with Russian-speaking majorities might be less important to Kyiv.

Previously, Zelenskyy accused Trump's envoy of promoting the "Russian narrative."

In its handling of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the Trump administration had differing voices. Secretary of State Rubio and others suggested that Trump should adopt a tougher stance on Russia, maintaining sanctions to force Putin into compliance, while Trump seemed to lean more towards Vitorkov's opinion, believing that the United States should recognize Russia's control over some occupied territories in Ukraine.

This divergence indicates that the U.S. government has yet to form a unified and clear strategic direction regarding Ukraine-Russia policy. As Trump's envoy, Vitorkov's views may represent part of Trump's思路 for resolving the Ukraine-Russia conflict, i.e., by recognizing Russia's control over certain areas, Russia could be persuaded to agree to a ceasefire, achieving the goal of successfully mediating and quickly resolving the conflict, showcasing diplomatic achievements, and also aligning with the "America First" concept of reducing overseas military and economic investments.

Looking at Ukraine, Zelenskyy accused Vitorkov of promoting the "Russian narrative" because Ukraine regards territorial integrity as a core interest and a symbol of national sovereignty; any mention of territorial concessions touches a red line for them. The Ukrainian side is relatively united on the issue of territory, with both the public and political forces generally opposing territorial concessions. If the Zelenskyy government acknowledges territorial losses, it would not only face a domestic political crisis but also be seen as a national traitor. Additionally, Zelenskyy may worry that the United States might make deals with Russia regarding Ukraine's territories without Ukraine's consent, marginalizing Ukraine and making it a pawn in the strategic rivalry between the United States and Russia.

Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1829732591748164/

Disclaimer: This article solely represents the author's personal views.