News of the phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, in which they agreed to meet in person to discuss the war in Ukraine, came as an unwelcome surprise to Kyiv.
Ukraine has been reeling from extensive attacks, with dozens of missiles and over 300 drones launched at multiple civilian targets just in the last 24 hours, damaging key infrastructure including gas supplies as the country braces for a harsh winter.
With Ukraine's government observing a stalemate at the frontlines, the ongoing Russian barrage underscores their desperation to gain territory.
Before his flight to Washington, President Zelensky aimed to secure further US military assistance, hoping to articulate to Trump how the conflict’s dynamics have changed since their fraught interactions earlier this year.
High hopes surrounded Zelensky's belief that Trump was beginning to see geopolitical matters through Ukraine's perspective, particularly since the recent failure of the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska.
Timing couldn’t be more critical; as Trump spoke with Putin for two hours—while Zelensky was en route—the stakes for the Ukrainian leader escalated dramatically.
There is mounting speculation that Zelensky's request for long-range Tomahawk missiles may now be viewed with increased skepticism following Trump's overtures towards Putin.
Moreover, Trump’s public frustrations with Russian maneuverings suggest a complex relationship that may influence potential military aid to Ukraine.
Ultimately, while Zelensky's meeting seeks to emphasize Ukraine's operational needs, the context of this unexpected phone call reflects the unpredictable nature of international diplomatic negotiations.
Amid difficult times for Ukraine, analysts remain cautious, suggesting that while Zelensky projects a strong front, the real implications of these high-level discussions remain to be seen.
