Russian foreign ministry spokesperson praises Trump and Vance for "miracle of restraint" at not hitting Ukraine's Prez Zelenskyy

Writing on Telegram, foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova praised Trump and JD Vance for their "miracle of restraint" at not hitting Ukraine's president Zelenskyy.  

We are getting into a 'new world' in which the US-Russia ties would be reset -- totally different from what during the Cold war era and even later.

Analysts say the US-Ukraine relations are also at risk of implosion or explosion. 

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have spoken on the phone and pledged to work closely together.

Hence, there's talk of a possible Summit soon.

In fact, the lower-level US-Russia talks to reset relations and discuss potential economic cooperation have already started.  

"If the flow of American weapons to Ukraine were to stop, it would be much harder for Ukrainians to defend themselves against the Russian forces who have invaded their country, even if Ukraine enjoys solidarity and strong support from European leaders," says BBC's Russia editor Steve Rosenberg.

For some time now, Moscow has believed that the war in Ukraine has been going Russia's way. The shouting-match in the Oval Office will have cemented that view.

Friday's drama in the Oval Office sparked a swift reaction from many world leaders.

But not from Vladimir Putin. There's been no comment so far from the Kremlin leader. Then again, he doesn't really need to say anything. President Putin can afford to sit back and watch events unfold.

Donald Trump predicted that the very public spat with President Zelensky was "going to be great television".

There's little doubt that Vladimir Putin will have enjoyed the "show", the dramatic spectacle of Volodymyr Zelensky, leader of the country President Putin invaded, being berated by the president and vice-president of the United States in front of the world's media.

London's 'The Guardian' reports:

"It’s warming up in Kyiv. The temperature has risen from -5C to 4C. Sometimes, the sun peeps through breaks in the clouds, but Kyivites are not much cheered by the sunshine. 

They are not watching for signs of spring as they usually do at this time of year. The atmosphere in the city and in the country as a whole has been one of nervous expectation. 

"This was not an expectation of an end to military action or the signing of a peace treaty with Russia – nothing so specific. Indeed, it was not at all clear what we were waiting for, but it was something connected with Donald Trump and the change in US policy towards Ukraine".  

What proceeded, in front of TV cameras, was chilling, extraordinary. Zelenskyy grave, angry, desperate – as befits a leader being obliged to bargain away his nation’s birthright. Trump claiming to be the honest broker, saying: “I am not aligned with anybody. I am aligned with the world.” Be thankful, he tells a man who has seen his people murdered, his territory captured and besieged. “Make a deal or we’re out.”

"It got worse. Zelenskyy showed him photos of war atrocities. “I think President Trump is on our side,” he said, with no genuine hope and certainly no expectation that that was true. 

The vice-president, JD Vance, attacked Zelenskyy for being disrespectful. Both Trump and Vance verbally pummelled him for the cameras, for this is the art of the deal now: loaded, hectoring, callous, bloodless",  -- wrote Andrey Kurkov for 'The Guardian'. 

Kurkov is a Ukrainian novelist and the author of 'Death and the Penguin'. 

The novelist pointed out:

"The fact that Trump has been so complimentary about Vladimir Putin, and so hostile to Zelenskyy, says everything. 

“I think he will keep his word,” Trump assured the world. 

“I have known him for a long time.” Trump’s phrase that peace will be achieved “fairly soon or it won’t happen at all” indicates that he will not waste too much time on negotiations with Putin if they drag on, or if Putin puts forward conditions that are unacceptable to Ukraine. 

Some conditions have already been announced by Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, who reminded us that Russia still plans to seize the entirety of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Zelenskyy was brave, but we are supplicants now. Trump and the Kremlin have made it abundantly clear that Ukraine’s participation in these negotiations between the US and Russia is not necessary or desirable. Like so much else, the principle announced by Biden, “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine”, has been trampled underfoot. Zelenskyy was called to the White House to sign, but not speak.

ends