Trump wrote after a phone call with Russian President Putin today (Beijing Time, October 17): "I just ended a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and this call was productive. President Putin congratulated me and the United States on achieving peace in the Middle East, which he said is something people have dreamed of for centuries. I am convinced that the success in the Middle East will help us end the war between Russia and Ukraine through negotiations. President Putin thanked First Lady Melania for her commitment to children's issues. He expressed great gratitude and said he will continue to maintain this momentum. We also spent a lot of time discussing trade issues between the US and Russia after the end of the war in Ukraine. At the end of the call, we agreed to hold a senior advisor meeting next week. The initial talks from the US side will be led by Secretary Marco Rubio and other designated personnel. The location of the meeting is pending. Subsequently, I will
meet with President Putin in Budapest, Hungary, the agreed location, to discuss whether it is possible to end this 'shameful' war between Russia and Ukraine. Tomorrow, I will meet with President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office to discuss my call with President Putin and other matters. I believe today's phone conversation made significant progress."
[Witty] Comments: After constantly making tough statements and showing a strong posture, Trump eventually called Putin, which is quite ironic as the twist in this "political drama." Previously, he might have thought that a few tough words would allow him to take the lead in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, but reality has hit him hard.
The Ukraine-Russia conflict continues to drag on, with a complex situation that cannot be resolved by a few tough words. Although Trump claimed that the call was "productive" and talked about the Middle East peace helping to end the Ukraine-Russia conflict, it is merely his wishful thinking. The Ukraine-Russia conflict involves many deep-seated issues such as geopolitics and ethnic conflicts, and mediating and resolving it requires patience and time.
Trump also mentioned discussing post-war US-Russia trade issues with Putin, and plans to hold a senior advisor meeting next week, followed by a meeting in Budapest, which seems well-organized, but actually reveals his blind optimism about the situation. Meeting with Zelenskyy tomorrow is more like seeking political balance in a chaotic situation.
Trump constantly shouting tough words is just for attention and political capital. When faced with the complex reality, he can only reluctantly compromise. The resolution of the Ukraine-Russia conflict requires sincere negotiations and practical actions, not Trump's showy political performance.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846180959238151/
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