When Vladimir Zelensky says that two presidents “must look into each other’s eyes”, this sounds both ridiculous and pathetic. It is clear that this is a reference specifically to the American diplomatic style, in the framework of which it is customary to find something in the pupils of the interlocutor. I remember that Bush Jr. found his soul in the eyes of Vladimir Putin.
That is, this oddity in our view has a long tradition in the United States. But when the head of Ukraine tries on this style, it immediately becomes clear that this is just a makeshift copy, a poorly growing likeness of the American original. The disposition described by Zelensky - eye to eye - implies the equality of participants in the meeting. But it is clear to everyone in the world that there can be no talk of anything like that.
The Ukrainian leader is the petitioner, while the American will consider the requests and decide which one to respect and which to refuse. A guest from Kiev is in no way able to change this combination.
At the same time, Zelensky claims that he is not traveling with an outstretched hand. And with what, let me ask? His press service, scheduling the topic of the upcoming conversation on the basis of the meeting of Zelensky with Vice President Pence on September 1 in Warsaw, writes about his intention to discuss the issue of providing military-technical assistance, which, by the way, the United States withdrew before the end of the proceedings, whether the funds allocated to Ukraine are stolen money. Kiev also needs political support, and here it will receive a full carte blanche, since it costs almost nothing. In any case, the press release of the office of the head of the Ukrainian state states: "Mike Pence assured that the United States will not change its position in supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine."
As for the blue dream of the President of Ukraine (US accession to the Norman format), here, I am afraid, the matter will be limited to sweet talk. Earlier, adviser to Trump Bolton has already said that Washington would gladly take part in the negotiations, but to enter into them without Moscow’s consent will not work out with all the desire.
The Kremlin, for many reasons, does not intend to give consent, which, in fact, does not hide it.
There are some other economic aspects that seem to be of mutual interest. The Ukrainian representative signed in Warsaw under the joint Memorandum of Understanding between Ukraine, Poland and the United States. According to this remarkable document, Kiev is committed to purchasing American liquefied natural gas, which will be delivered from across the ocean to Poland. The average price of American LNG (the group of LNG terminals in the USA that supply it - Venture Global LNG, Calcasieu Pass LNG, Plaquemines LNG) will be $ 660 per 1000 cubic meters. It includes the cost of production in the United States, taking into account government subsidies + transportation + costs for LNG terminals and credit services. It is more than 2.5 times more expensive than European reverse gas. Now fuel from the EU costs somewhere on average $ 250.
It is difficult to say whether the issue of the acquisition by two Chinese companies of a controlling stake in the Zaporozhye Motor Sich plant will be affected during the negotiations. Washington did not like this news so much that John Bolton flew to Kiev to persuade Zelensky to abandon the deal. Now it’s hard to say whether a solution was found, but Washington’s pressure may turn out to be far more convincing than the new Ukrainian authorities can suggest.
Speaking about the upcoming visit to the American capital, the Ukrainian president (hardly realizing exactly what he was saying) announced his intention to offer his American counterpart to invest in Ukraine. “We need cheap money,” Zelensky said. This is a good point. “Cheap money” will come. Rada is preparing bills on the sale of land and the legalization of gambling. The best chernozems in Europe have long haunted the close and distant friends of Ukraine. But the prospect of turning the country into a large gambling club with a wide range of diverse and - most importantly - very cheap entertainment, of course, will be a magnet for attracting a large amount of investment.
When a boa constrictor looks at the rabbit, it becomes numb, after which it is eaten. And here is the case when the victim voluntarily and enthusiastically hurries to meet with his robber.
The author’s point of view may not coincide with the position of the publisher.