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Trump Meeting with Zelenskyy Could Pave Way for First Putin Call in Five Years
Sunday’s talks between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago could open the door for the first direct communication between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in more than five years, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
The potential direct call between the Ukrainian and Russian leaders would mark a significant diplomatic breakthrough in the ongoing peace efforts, with Trump positioning himself as the key mediator in the conflict.
“If Putin had joined in a call Sunday, this would have been the greatest achievement in the preparation of the peace talks and the first real step in the peace process,” the source told Fox News Digital on condition of anonymity. “This would be a diplomatic victory for President Trump.”
Trump confirmed he spoke with Putin before the Zelenskyy meeting, describing the conversation as “good and very productive” in a social media post. Standing beside Zelenskyy after his arrival in Florida, Trump expressed optimism about the negotiations.
“I do believe that we have the makings of a deal,” Trump told reporters. “I think we can move very rapidly.” He added a stark assessment of the alternatives: “It’ll either end, or it’s going to go on for a long time, and millions of additional people are going to be killed.”
At the center of discussions was a U.S.-backed, 20-point peace plan emerging from weeks of negotiations. American officials have indicated the plan is approximately 90% complete, with Zelenskyy signaling potential willingness to consider limited Ukrainian troop withdrawals from parts of eastern Ukraine without formally recognizing Russian control, along with the creation of demilitarized zones.
Sunday’s meeting represented the third in-person encounter between Trump and Zelenskyy since Trump returned to office. The Ukrainian president met earlier with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, both of whom were present at the Mar-a-Lago talks.
The source described Zelenskyy as likely anxious before the meeting. “Zelenskyy is usually very nervous before such conversations with President Trump,” the source said. “He concentrates for a long time and studies the notes that the International Policy Department and the Foreign Ministry prepare for him.”
A particularly challenging aspect of the peace process has been Putin’s refusal to engage directly with Zelenskyy since July 2020. “The one difficulty they have is that Putin has refused to talk to Zelenskyy since July 2020, when they spoke over the Wagner scandal and the failed operation to detain Russian Wagner militants,” the source explained.
Even prior to that communication breakdown, relations between the two leaders were reportedly strained. “Before that point in 2020, calls between Zelenskyy and Putin were never friendly, and there was always tension between them. During talks, Putin was always taciturn, and Zelenskyy tried to establish a rapport,” according to the source.
The last direct contact between the two leaders followed a botched Ukrainian intelligence operation targeting Russian Wagner mercenaries. Ukrainian forces had lured the mercenaries to Belarus and planned to intercept them en route from Minsk to Istanbul, but the plan failed when the men were arrested, according to The Kyiv Independent.
As the peace talks advance, Zelenskyy has emphasized Ukraine’s need for security guarantees, particularly from the United States. “For us, it is very important that there is a signal that we want legally binding security guarantees,” Zelenskyy told Ukrainian journalists on Saturday. “This primarily depends on President Trump.”
The Ukrainian president has also proposed submitting the peace plan to a national referendum if Moscow agrees to a 60-day ceasefire.
“Ukraine is willing to do whatever it takes to stop this war,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media over the weekend. “For us, priority number one — or the only priority — is ending the war. For us, the priority is peace.”
As the diplomatic efforts continue, observers will be watching closely for any sign of direct communication between Zelenskyy and Putin, which would represent a significant breakthrough in a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and destabilized the region for nearly three years.
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13 Comments
This potential Zelenskyy-Putin call is certainly newsworthy, but I’d caution against overstating its significance at this stage. The path to a lasting peace settlement remains fraught with challenges and uncertainties.
While a direct dialogue between Zelenskyy and Putin could be a positive step, the broader geopolitical and economic implications for the mining and commodities sectors remain to be seen. Careful monitoring of developments will be crucial.
Interesting development in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict. A direct call between Zelenskyy and Putin could be a significant diplomatic breakthrough, if it materializes. Trump’s role as a mediator is intriguing – let’s see how this plays out.
From a mining and commodities perspective, a potential easing of tensions between Ukraine and Russia bears close watching. Stability in the region could help smooth supply chains and market volatility. But much work remains to be done.
This potential Zelenskyy-Putin call is an important step, but the peace process will likely be complex and challenging. I’m curious to hear more details on the discussions and any proposed path forward.
Agreed, the devil will be in the details. Maintaining open communication channels is critical, even if substantive progress is difficult. Cautious optimism is warranted at this stage.
The Trump-mediated talks are an intriguing development, but I’m hesitant to draw any firm conclusions about their ultimate impact. Resolving the Ukraine-Russia conflict will require sustained, good-faith efforts by all parties involved.
While a Zelenskyy-Putin call would be a noteworthy step, I remain skeptical about the prospects for a durable peace agreement given the complexities of the conflict. Continued vigilance and diplomacy will be essential going forward.
This development could have implications for the global energy and commodities markets, particularly if it leads to a reduction in tensions and disruptions. However, the path forward is still highly uncertain.
From a mining/commodities perspective, a resolution of the Ukraine conflict could have important geopolitical and economic implications. Reduced tensions could stabilize energy and mineral markets. But the path ahead remains uncertain.
The potential for a Zelenskyy-Putin call is intriguing. However, the deep-seated mistrust and divergent interests between Ukraine and Russia suggest the road to a lasting peace settlement will be long and arduous. Cautious optimism is warranted.
You make a fair point. Overcoming the years of acrimony and distrust will be a major challenge. Any progress, however incremental, should be viewed as positive, even if a comprehensive resolution remains elusive in the near term.
Trump’s involvement as a mediator is unexpected, given his past tensions with Zelenskyy. But if he can help facilitate a direct dialogue, that would be a noteworthy diplomatic achievement, regardless of one’s views on the former president.