In a stunning declaration following his high-stakes summit at Mar-a-Lago, Trump says Russia wanted Ukraine to succeed, leaving reporters and diplomats scrambling to interpret the comment. The President emerged from the three-hour meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy to announce that a peace deal was close, but it was his assertion that Vladimir Putin has ‘generous’ feelings toward Ukraine’s success that stole the spotlight
Unlike previous encounters that ended in frustration, Trump praised the Ukrainian leader and expressed confidence that a resolution lies within reach. The US President remarked that the sides are getting “very close” to an agreement. Consequently, US, Ukrainian, and European delegations plan to continue these high-stakes negotiations over the coming weeks, potentially moving the venue to Washington.
Trump insisted he holds no specific deadline for the war’s conclusion, but he suggested the current moment offers the best opportunity for peace. With his envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner driving intensive talks, Trump characterized the negotiations as being in their “very final stages.” However, he issued a stark warning regarding the alternative. If these talks fail, he predicted the conflict would drag on indefinitely, resulting in “millions” more casualties.
The Putin Factor Looms Large
Although Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend the Florida summit, his influence loomed large over the proceedings. Trump revealed he spoke with the Russian leader for over an hour immediately before Zelensky arrived. This pattern of consulting Moscow prior to Kyiv has disturbed Ukraine’s supporters in the past, yet Trump insisted this conversation remained productive. He lauded Putin’s handling of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant—a critical energy asset currently under Russian occupation—and stated firmly that he believes the Russian leader genuinely desires peace.
Both sides acknowledge that they have agreed upon roughly 90% of the peace plan’s terms, which reportedly include security guarantees for Ukraine akin to NATO’s Article 5. Nevertheless, the remaining 10% presents the most difficult hurdles. These unresolved issues primarily center on the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and contentious land concessions in the eastern Donbas region. Trump suggested that Ukraine might fare better by making a deal now rather than risking further territory loss in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Zelensky signaled a new willingness to put any agreement to a national referendum, though he maintains that a ceasefire must come first. This stance conflicts with the Kremlin’s view, as Russian officials recently stated that a temporary truce would only prolong the conflict.
A Shift in Tone
The tone of this meeting marked a significant shift from the acrimony that defined their interactions earlier in Trump’s second term. Trump greeted Zelensky with praise for his bravery, while Zelensky made a point to thank the American leadership repeatedly. As the meeting concluded, the setting appeared to help thaw the relationship, with Trump joking that Zelensky might prefer the glamour of Mar-a-Lago to the White House.