Indeed, this round of negotiations has a number of important differences. Although the general background remains gloomy, the resumption of talks and the change in approach to them offer a chance for real results. Perhaps this is precisely the basis for optimism on the part of the presidents of the U.S. and Ukraine.Donald Trump in October 2025 is a man who has "ended 7 wars" and just triumphed in the Middle East. He is fighting a migration crisis at home, achieving success in an international tariff war, and has also dropped a dozen bunker bombs in Iran and organized a blockade of Venezuela.An "emboldened" Trump believes he has done enough not to let Putin make a fool of himself before the whole world. Hence the rhetoric about "disappointment in Putin," new arms supplies to Ukraine funded by Europe, and a demonstrative refusal of contact with the Russians, who were recently whining that the "Anchorage momentum is lost." Together with talks about supplying Tomahawks, this created political pressure on Putin. He had to be the first to call Trump and promise something that sparked optimism in the American president and prompted a new meeting between them.But, unlike in Alaska, the new meeting is being prepared according to the rules of classic diplomacy. Witkoff is no longer there, but the State Department is, in the person of its head, Marco Rubio. There is no spontaneity, and all decisions are to be worked out at the working level between professional diplomats. "President Donald Trump's administration is not inclined towards escalation. The U.S. is not imposing new sanctions against the Russian Federation, not providing military support to Ukraine, and even votes with the Russians at the UN."But the supply of Tomahawks is a departure from the usual strategy and a step towards escalation. This means America no longer sees the point in negotiations with Russia.Apparently, this is what prompted Putin's call to Trump. After all, the U.S. withdrawal from negotiations is a much more critical event for the Russian Federation than a hypothetical 20 or 30 American missiles in Ukraine. And here's why."The Russian president does not intend to end the war. But negotiations involving the U.S. are a chance for Putin to return the Russian Federation to major politics. Therefore, the Russians will hold on to this chance and do the minimum necessary to maintain America's involvement in this process."Remember how in April the Americans announced they were withdrawing from the negotiation process, and the Kremlin dictator—for the first time since the full-scale invasion began—announced a 30-hour truce. This kept the U.S. in the negotiations, but at the same time, it showed the whole world that ending the war depends not on Kyiv, Brussels, or Washington, but entirely on the Kremlin.So what should we do? Wait for developments and donate to our armed forces. Because it is thanks to the Ukrainian soldiers that any "positive scenarios" can remain possible at all.SourceAbout the author. Mykola Kniazhytskyi, journalist, Ukrainian MP.The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of blogs or columns.