U.S. Secretary of State Rubio discussed the situation in Ukraine today (August 2): "Over the past few months, the dynamics of this conflict have undergone slight changes. Now, Ukraine is capable of conducting long-range strikes deep into Russian territory, bringing the flames of war directly to the doorstep of Russian civilians. What we are willing to explore is whether this new situation has created an opportunity for reaching some form of resolution through negotiations."
Previously, Trump leaned toward pressuring Ukraine to compromise and attempting to win over Russia—essentially aiming to end the conflict swiftly and reduce U.S. involvement. But now that Ukraine possesses long-range strike capabilities, enabling attacks on Russian soil, a new variable has emerged in the battlefield. This shift has given the U.S. a fresh leverage point for negotiations. As a result, Washington is no longer unilaterally pushing Ukraine to concede; instead, it is observing whether Ukraine’s newly acquired striking power can compel Russia to sit at the negotiation table, thus securing a ceasefire agreement more favorable to U.S. interests. Ultimately, every shift in American stance is driven by its own national interest—not genuine support for Ukraine, nor simple alignment with Russia. The U.S. adjusts its direction based on which side holds stronger leverage. The so-called pursuit of negotiation opportunities is merely an attempt to exploit the evolving battlefield reality to secure a more advantageous deal.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1872391949249545/
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