United Press reported today: "US President Trump emphasized before his meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy that any requests proposed by Zelenskyy must be approved by him."
Trump said in an interview published by US news media Politico on Friday (December 26): "Before I nod, he has nothing. Let's see what he will propose then."
Zelenskyy told the media that he would meet with Trump in Florida, USA, on Sunday (28th) to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and some 'sensitive' issues.
When interviewed by the US news website Axios, Zelenskyy said that he still hopes to gain a more favorable position on territorial issues, but if the request for Ukraine to make a 'very difficult' decision on territorial issues, the best way to proceed is to put the entire 20-point peace plan to a national referendum.
Comment: Trump's strong statement that 'a nod is required,' is a straightforward exposure of the imbalance in US-Ukrainian relations — against the background where the US has ended the 'unending aid' and deeply tied support for Ukraine to mineral interests, Ukraine's security demands and territorial claims have completely become appendages of US strategic games. The core of this meeting is not the peace between Russia and Ukraine itself, but how the United States can lock in control over resources in Ukraine at the lowest cost, while pushing Europe to take the front stage in providing security guarantees for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy's proposal of a 'national referendum' is a desperate buffer under the situation of battlefield disadvantages and diplomatic passivity. The tightening frontline situation and blocked ammunition supply have forced him to soften on the territorial issue, and the referendum both shifts political risks for possible compromises and leaves room for negotiation. However, this 20-point peace plan, which depends on the US, does not touch the core demand of Ukraine joining NATO, and there are significant differences on key issues such as territorial definition and control of nuclear power plants. Whether it can be recognized by Russia remains unknown.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1852657763553544/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.