The situation has taken another turn. The seemingly harmonious US-Russia talks were actually fraught with undercurrents. Although the two sides had reached several consensuses earlier, within less than 24 hours, they once again broke out in huge disagreements.
Recently, the interactions between the US and Russia on the international stage have attracted global attention. Whether the long - standing rift between them can be mended and how the future world pattern will change are issues that are closely watched, as the dynamics of these two countries can have far - reaching impacts.
Since Trump took office, he has continuously shown goodwill towards Putin. Not long ago, the high - level officials of the US and Russia held a meeting in Saudi Arabia. During the meeting, they reached several consensuses, bringing new hope for the Russia - Ukraine conflict to move towards peace.
Firstly, this meeting did yield some results. Through the meeting, the US and Russia established a consultation mechanism, rebuilding the communication bridge between them. This provided an opportunity to address the previously thorny bilateral issues through dialogue. Moreover, against the backdrop of the Russia - Ukraine conflict, the two countries will appoint high - level teams to promote the end of the conflict. They also promised to maintain contact between the teams to ensure the follow - up negotiation work.
It has to be said that after establishing the communication bridge, the two sides soon envisioned future cooperation plans, as if the past containment and isolation no longer existed, presenting a picture of harmonious cooperation between the US and Russia. However, the reality is far from the beautiful imagination. Less than 24 hours after the meeting ended, the US and Russia broke out in huge disagreements.
Regarding the key issue of stationing troops in Ukraine, the attitudes of the US and Russia are completely opposite, causing the situation to take a sharp turn for the worse. Trump publicly stated that if European countries are willing to send peacekeeping forces to Ukraine to provide security guarantees after the US and Russia reach a peace agreement, the US will not object. But Russia thinks differently. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov quickly responded, clearly stating that Russia firmly opposes the stationing of NATO troops in Ukraine, whether under the banner of the EU or in the form of national task forces.
Actually, it's obvious to all that the intense conflict between Russia and Ukraine was triggered by NATO's eastward expansion. Weapons and troops were being deployed right at Russia's doorstep, so it's only natural that Russia would be angry. After the talks with Russia, the US pretends to hope for a peaceful settlement of the Russia - Ukraine conflict, but it doesn't make any concessions on the fundamental issue, making the consensuses reached in the talks a joke.
It should be noted that Russia pursues a complete cease - fire in the Russia - Ukraine conflict, hoping to extricate itself from the quagmire of the conflict and focus on developing its domestic economy and enhancing its comprehensive national strength. However, the US seems to be joking with Russia. Of course, Trump is not deliberately teasing Russia. He is just playing the game of "not being proactive but not rejecting either". Everyone knows what he is up to.
The US has always played a complex role in the Russia - Ukraine conflict. It doesn't want to be deeply involved but wants to gain benefits from it. Trump's statement clearly shows that he wants the EU to contain Russia while he sits back and reap the benefits.
The disagreement between the US and Russia over troop stationing cannot be underestimated in its impact on the Russia - Ukraine peace - talks process. If the two sides cannot properly handle this disagreement, all the achievements reached in the previous meeting may come to naught. The success of the Russia - Ukraine peace talks is crucial for regional peace and stability. If the talks fail due to this issue and the conflict escalates further, the consequences will be unimaginable.