In a blunt and surprising revelation during a live FOX News interview, President Donald Trump disclosed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin are appearing more cooperative than expected—despite the ongoing and brutal conflict between their countries. Trump stated this was a key reason he has arranged to allow the two leaders to meet privately before including himself in any joint discussions.
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A New Diplomatic Approach
Trump’s news came from an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” where he laid out a plan: Putin and Zelensky should first engage in one-on-one talks. Only if those go well will the U.S. President step in to facilitate and potentially finalize a trilateral meeting.
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“Maybe they’re getting along a little bit better than I thought,” Trump said, adding, “I would not have set up the meeting if I didn’t believe there’s some potential.” The President emphasized this private first step could pave the way for broader peace negotiations.
Context of the Statement
Trump’s comment follows a series of high-level engagements:
- He recently hosted Zelensky at the White House alongside European leaders.
- Days earlier, he met with Putin during a summit in Alaska.
- He placed a late-night call to Putin to initiate the arrangements for a bilateral meeting with Zelensky.
Despite their history of distrust and a conflict that has cost thousands of lives, Trump conveyed his belief that direct engagement between the two leaders is now possible—and his role is to help legitimize and coordinate the next steps.
Vision for Peace and Security Guarantees
Trump also addressed U.S. policy on defensively supporting Ukraine, stating there will be no American troops on the ground in Ukraine but affirmed ongoing U.S. and European security guarantees. The emphasis is on negotiation—bottom-up diplomacy starting with Putin and Zelensky, then escalating if successful.
Trump’s plan underscores a belief that private dialogue may break diplomatic logjams, relying on the premise that leaders need preliminary trust-building before broader talks become viable.
Reactions and Strategic Implications
Experts and opposition figures have raised concerns about allowing a direct meeting between two leaders engaged in war, especially given credible threats against Zelensky. Critics argue that Trump’s absence from such initial talks could leave the Ukrainian president vulnerable.
Nonetheless, supporters of Trump’s approach suggest it may offer an unorthodox—but necessary—diplomatic breakthrough. The idea of a staged escalation—from bilateral to trilateral discussions—is being seen as a potential model for de-escalating the conflict.
As diplomatic cables circulate and venues are considered (Hungary’s Budapest is under exploration), the global community is watching whether Putin will agree to a private meeting. Reports suggest preparations are underway, though Russian officials remain noncommittal
Should the two leaders agree to sit face-to-face, it could mark a significant turning point in peace strategy—with Trump positioning himself as a mediator willing to step in only when progress is evident.
