In a remarkable display of diplomatic acumen, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has engineered a potential breakthrough in his country's efforts to end the ongoing conflict with Russia. Following a masterful orchestration of events, Zelensky is poised for a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a move described by The Daily Mail as a "masterstroke" in winning over U.S. President Donald Trump's support.
The pivotal moment came after a 40-minute phone conversation between Trump and Putin, which succeeded a strategic gathering at the White House with European leaders and Zelensky on Monday. This encounter marked a significant departure from their previous contentious meeting in February, where Trump had bluntly asked Zelensky to exit the Oval Office.
During his White House visit, Zelensky came prepared with a substantial proposal: Ukraine would purchase $100 billion in American weaponry, framing it as an investment in American manufacturing and job creation while bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities. The Financial Times reported that European allies have pledged to back the weapons deal financially. Additionally, a separate $50 billion agreement will facilitate Ukrainian companies in developing drone technology with U.S. assistance.
President Trump reassured Zelensky and the global audience that the United States would play a pivotal role in guaranteeing Ukraine's security within any peace agreement. While the specifics remain undetermined, Trump emphasized the involvement of European countries, dubbing them Ukraine's "first line of defense." Despite being questioned thrice, Trump did not dismiss the possibility of deploying American troops, suggesting that military aid might lean towards air support rather than ground forces.
Zelensky's approach this time around was notably different. He arrived dressed in a business suit, a departure from his typical military attire, which addressed previous criticism from journalist Brian Glenn. The Times reported that European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and French President Emmanuel Macron, had coached Zelensky prior to the meeting. Their guidance seemed effective as Zelensky expressed his gratitude to Trump approximately 11 times during a brief public address.
In a poignant gesture, Zelensky presented Trump with a letter from his wife, Olena, addressed to First Lady Melania Trump concerning abducted Ukrainian children—a move that Trump commended for its dedication to children's welfare.
The Daily Mail indicated that while Trump is enthusiastic about a historic meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, Putin has not yet committed to participating in peace talks, which raises questions about his willingness to engage in diplomatic solutions. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described the Trump-Putin call as "frank" and "fairly constructive," confirming discussions about elevating the level of Moscow and Kyiv representatives in future talks.
Despite the cautious optimism, some European leaders remain skeptical about Putin's reliability in peace negotiations. Finnish President Alexander Stubb and French President Emmanuel Macron have voiced concerns over Putin's commitment to peace, with Macron telling NBC News that he does not see Putin as eager for peace at this time.
Plans for a trilateral meeting following the Putin-Zelensky summit have been announced by Trump, who described the upcoming discussions as significant progress toward peace. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated that Trump and Putin agreed to meet "within the next two weeks," though no specific date has been established. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff are coordinating the arrangements.
In a clever political maneuver, Zelensky began his one-on-one with Trump by acknowledging Melania Trump's efforts in sending a letter to Putin requesting the return of Ukraine's children. Zelensky then handed Trump a letter from the First Lady of Ukraine, a gesture that seemingly softened Trump's demeanor, as observed by political commentator Jake Broe.
