"Trump uses carrot and stick, while russia is stalling": political scientist Ihor Chalenko on the results of Zelensky’s visit to the US
Russia is deliberately slowing down agreements following Volodymyr Zelensky’s trip to the United States, but the visit itself became an important step for strengthening contacts and a signal of Washington’s continued intention to support Ukraine. This was stated in a comment to OstroV by political scientist, head of the Center for Analysis and Strategies Ihor Chalenko.
"First of all, it should be understood that the visit consisted not only of Zelensky’s meeting with Trump. The Ukrainian delegation worked in the US for several days and had a full program. If we evaluate the communicative effect, I tend to lean toward a positive outcome. Contacts were established with representatives of the US military-industrial complex, a dialogue was held with the financial block, and significant attention was paid to the energy component. After all, the winter will be extremely difficult, and energy must remain in focus", - noted the expert.
According to Chalenko, the direct meeting between Zelensky and Trump was also significant, although it did not produce “sensational decisions”.
"Of course, everyone expected a maximum plan — the delivery of 'Tomahawks'. But I have always urged seeing this more as a symbolic gesture, demonstrating the American administration’s readiness to continue supporting Ukraine. Special emphasis was possibly placed on further air defense system deliveries. Zelensky himself later stated that Ukraine wants to acquire 25 Patriot systems over ten years", - he explained.
The political scientist emphasized that after the Ukrainian delegation’s visit to the US, it is important to receive clearer signals regarding future weapons deliveries.
"These might not be Tomahawks, but other types of missiles. For example, small cruise Barracuda-500 missiles or JASM missiles launched from F-16s. In other words, any weapon capable of striking russian targets", - noted Chalenko.
At the same time, according to him, russia shows unwillingness to engage in real negotiations and is effectively sabotaging agreements, particularly regarding contacts between the foreign ministers of the US and russia.
"The russian Foreign Ministry even stated that there was allegedly no agreement on a meeting between Rubio and Lavrov, although now they are naming a new date — October 30 — for a meeting between the two foreign ministers. And this is despite the fact that a Trump-putin meeting was previously scheduled for October 30. So it is obvious that russia is deliberately stalling", - emphasized the expert.
In Chalenko’s view, despite this, the overall results of Zelensky’s visit to the US can be considered positive.
"Much of the energy component relied on Trump’s position. We understand that he acts on the principle of 'carrot and stick', depending on the political effect he wants to achieve. Strategically, the main result was that Trump stated: 'The war must stop along the lines that exist today'. This is the most significant strategic victory for Ukraine in recent weeks", - stressed the political scientist.
He added that Trump’s position irritated the kremlin.
"Russians are trying to push the demand for Ukraine to be expelled from the territory of the Donetsk oblast, but Trump did not support this position. On the contrary, his repeated statements on Truth Social and during speeches confirm a focus on 'freezing' the war rather than forcing Ukraine’s capitulation. The kremlin perceived this extremely negatively, which is evident from Lavrov’s new statements about the 'necessity of continuing the war'", - concluded Ihor Chalenko.