Former Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visiting then-President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. In it, they detailed a Chinese peace plan to end the protracted war in Ukraine. As the two leaders met, they reportedly discussed the basic elements of a 20-point plan to resume peace, in full, to put an end to Russia’s hostility. Throughout the roundtable, Zelenskyy expressed how positive he was about the forward progress of their conversations. He boldly claimed that they’d had “fantastic successes” in making progress towards a peace deal.
After arriving in a chauffeur-driven limousine, Zelenskyy emerged and proceeded toward the opulent Mar-a-Lago mansion. There, an extraordinary high-stakes meeting awaited him inside the stunning sandstone edifice. The discussions come at a critical time as Ukraine continues to face military aggression from Russia, which recently escalated with attacks on Kyiv, resulting in casualties among civilians.
Achievements in Peace Negotiations
At our meeting, President Zelenskyy shared his dreams. He wanted to make more palatable a U.S. proposal that calls for Ukrainian troops to withdraw entirely from the Donbas — a Ukrainian region mostly occupied by pro-Russian forces. His main point was that security guarantees are the key element of any agreement between Ukraine and United States. These assurances are critical to any possible agreement.
Zelenskyy declared, “And Ukraine is willing to make peace,” underscoring his administration’s desire to reach a settlement. He stressed that the security guarantees were “100 per cent agreed.” This is a sign of a deep mutual understanding achieved in the course of their negotiations.
“Our teams will continue working on all aspects of the peace plan.” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
The engagement provided a rare opportunity to creatively, passionately, and technically explore highly specialized topics that could easily trip up broader negotiations down the line. Even Trump reluctantly admitted that the tide has turned. One or two remaining “thorny issues” persist that will likely test efforts to finalize an agreement.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Although that message was delivered with encouraging tones by both leaders, if you listened carefully, Trump urged Ukraine to move quickly. He noted that land owned but perhaps no longer needed by Ukraine would be on the table. This will be the case if an agreement is not achieved in the near future. These comments highlight the pressure that surrounds the peace talks as the situation on the ground continues to change dramatically.
Trump remarked, “Some of that land has been taken, some of that land is maybe up for grabs but it may be taken over the next period of a number of months, and you’re better off making a deal now.” His focus on expediency is understandable given fears of possible territorial concessions that would result if talks fail.
Against this hopeful backdrop, the war in Ukraine continues to go badly. As Russian attacks have increased, civilians have continued to be tragically killed, and hospitals, schools, and infrastructure targeted. Ukrainian officials said at least one person was killed and 27 others injured after the latest attacks on Kyiv.
Next Steps in Peace Efforts
After his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump announced that he would be reaching out to Russian President Vladimir Putin. His hope is to engage more folks about the overall state of play. This possible outreach serves to cement Trump’s surging status as the most active American player in international diplomacy on the war.
In addressing the broader implications of the negotiations, Trump stated, “In a few weeks, we will know one way or the other, I think. … It could go poorly.” His remarks illuminate the difficult, unpredictable world of diplomacy attempting to succeed at resolving an incredibly complicated conflict.
Neither leader is shying away from these tough conversations – and that’s a good thing. The international community is eagerly awaiting significant developments to emerge from their discussions. The peace in Ukraine will go a long way on how these negotiations play out. For any durable resolution or better yet, breakthrough to take hold, all four parties need to be committed to crossing the divide.
