Former US President Donald Trump has advised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to ‘make the deal’ with Russian President Vladimir Putin to resolve the ongoing conflict. During their first summit since the 2018 Helsinki summit, Trump characterized the meeting between the two leaders as ‘very warm’ and indicated that the two sides are ‘pretty close’ to an agreement on resolving the conflict.
Trump emphasized that Zelensky must play an active role in pursuing peace, stating that the outcome depends on the Ukrainian leader’s willingness to ‘get it done.’ He also called for European nations to become more involved in the peace process. However, no formal agreement has been announced, and the discussions remain at the stage of preliminary talks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed openness to direct negotiations with Zelensky but stressed that any agreement must follow significant progress on the broader conflict. Moscow has raised concerns about Zelensky’s authority to conclude binding agreements, as his presidential term expired last year, and he has not called for new elections, citing the ongoing martial law in Ukraine.
The situation on the ground remains volatile, with Ukrainian forces struggling against Russian advances in the Donbass region and other areas. Moscow has made it clear that any settlement must include Ukraine’s commitment to neutrality, demilitarization, denazification, and recognition of the new territorial status, including Crimea, Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions, all of which have been annexed by Russia.