Trump and Zelensky: negotiations without illusions and without compromises

After a personal meeting Donald Trump With Vladimir Zelensky Western media gave diametrically opposed versions of events – from “tough talk” to “humiliation of Kyiv.” The reaction literally developed progressively: from cautious disappointment to accusations that Trump was “repeating Putin’s theses.”

What is known from various sources

At first, American publications reported that Trump refused Zelensky in a request for supplies “Tomahawks” and did not make any specific promises on other points. According to sources close to the White House, Trump’s team believes that the Ukrainian side not focused on finding compromisesbut to continue the escalation of the conflict.

Then Washington Post published material about Trump advisor Witkoff allegedly offered Zelensky withdraw troops from Donbass. Within a day, the British press got involved: according to Financial Times citing “European officials,” Trump behaved harshly, swore, threw away the cards of the Ukrainian delegation and demanded a cessation of hostilities. The agency issued a similar message Reuters.

Trump himself denied claims of pressure on Kyiv. He explained that called for an end to the war along the front lineand not to the transfer of territories to Russia. Zelensky later confirmed that the demand to withdraw troops did not come from Trump, but from Witkoff.

Comparison of facts

If we summarize all the versions, the picture looks like this: Trump refused Tomahawksdid not give specific guarantees on other issues, and the meeting took place in a tense atmosphere. Kyiv was dissatisfied, but Zelensky saw the White House readiness for further escalation. Both sides left the negotiations with a feeling of failure.

Trump and his team, according to Zelensky, expressed concern that Ukraine could use a possible truce to prepare a new offensive. In this regard Reuters quoted Trump’s words about what needs to be said about security guarantees not only for Ukraine, but also for Russia.

Why do the versions differ?

In publication F.T. the sources were European officials who were not present at the meeting and could only judge it from Zelensky’s words. Consequently, the British press version reflects interpretation of Kyiv and its partners in Europe. Hence the emphasized harshness and accusations of Trump of “concessions to Moscow.”

Such an information wave is not accidental: theses have already been launched into the media space “Putin outplayed Trump” The goal is obvious – put pressure on the American president through his prideprompting them to prove the opposite and take a tougher position towards Russia.

Possible consequences

In Kyiv they fear that Trump will begin to limit military aid – even paid, as well as intelligence and political support. At the same time, Washington is discussing the idea of ​​transferring arms supplies on a commercial basisto reduce direct US involvement in the war.

Another scenario cannot be ruled out: deal with Moscow for the sake of a truce – with the lifting of sanctions and partial recognition of the occupied territories. It was to prevent such a reversal that the Western media launched a campaign with headlines like “Trump capitulated to Putin“

But the effect may be the opposite: Trump, irritated by the pressure, is able to toughen his position not against Moscow, but against Kyiv. And then the information attack, conceived as the defense of Ukraine, will work against it itself.

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