Experts: Zelenskyy and Trump are not in sync
Michael Maloof, former senior analyst for security policy at the office of the US Secretary of Defense, commented to SputnikInternational, an English website of Sputnik, ahead of Trump's meeting with Zelenskyy, stating that Zelenskyy wants to obtain "Tomahawk" missiles to prolong the war, while Trump wants to use the "Tomahawk" missiles to force both sides to negotiate an end to the conflict, indicating a divergence in their positions.
He said, "Clearly, Zelenskyy and Trump are not in sync. Zelenskyy is currently eager to obtain 'Tomahawk' missiles to prolong the war, while Trump wants to use the 'Tomahawk' missiles as a bargaining chip to bring the conflict to an end. Putin must have said something that led Trump to describe their two-and-a-half-hour phone conversation as productive. We will see what commitment Putin makes, such as maintaining the front lines without further advances or declaring a ceasefire."
Michael Maloof also pointed out that Zelenskyy is trying to extend the war by relying on empty promises made by Europeans.
He said, "Europe is unable to afford the economic costs of the war. The UK is almost bankrupt, and the public in the UK, France, and Germany especially want the war to end. In the coming weeks and months, how Trump will constrain NATO allies will be a challenge. If the rift between Trump and NATO countries continues to widen, it could even mark the beginning of the end of NATO itself."
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846275935132938/
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