What the Zelenskyy–Trump Meeting Achieved and What It Didn’t?
Talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump produced only modest progress toward ending Russia’s war against Ukraine, but both sides signaled cautious optimism that diplomacy has not stalled, CNN reported.
The Gaze reports this, referring to CNN.
After roughly three hours of discussions, no breakthrough emerged on the most sensitive elements of a potential peace deal. Still, the tone of the meeting was noticeably more constructive than in previous encounters, with Trump praising Zelenskyy’s leadership and expressing confidence that a settlement remains within reach.
Below are the key takeaways highlighted by the media.
No Fixed Timeline, but a Narrow Window
Trump reiterated that he has set no firm deadline for concluding a peace deal, arguing that negotiations have reached a decisive phase but could still collapse.
“We are close to the end of the process,” Trump said, adding that the war would either conclude soon or continue for years with devastating human costs. He suggested that clarity on whether an agreement is possible could emerge within weeks and acknowledged that a deal may ultimately prove unattainable.
Putin’s Shadow Over the Talks
Although Russian President Vladimir Putin did not take part in the meeting, his role remained central to the discussion. Trump confirmed that he spoke with Putin for more than an hour before meeting Zelenskyy and plans further contact.
Trump again said he believes Putin remains serious about reaching a settlement. He also cited Russia’s restraint around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as a positive signal, calling the absence of attacks on the facility an important confidence-building step.
These comments continue to concern Ukraine’s allies, who worry that parallel U.S.–Russia engagement could shape negotiations in ways unfavorable to Kyiv.
The Remaining 10% Is the Hardest
Zelenskyy said ahead of the talks that about 90 percent of a peace framework had already been agreed, echoing assessments by U.S. officials. Trump avoided precise figures but acknowledged that the unresolved portion involves the most difficult issues.
Territorial control and the future of the nuclear power plant remain the primary obstacles. Trump suggested that Ukraine may face difficult strategic choices and hinted that limited territorial compromises could prevent further Russian advances.
Zelenskyy showed increased flexibility, saying he would consider submitting any final agreement to a national referendum. He stressed, however, that a ceasefire would be essential to ensure compliance.
A Reset in Tone, Not in Substance
Despite the lack of concrete outcomes, the meeting marked a shift in tone. Trump publicly praised Zelenskyy’s determination and described both the Ukrainian president and the Ukrainian people as courageous.
Zelenskyy repeatedly thanked Trump, a notable contrast to earlier tensions, when U.S. officials criticized Kyiv for insufficient expressions of gratitude for American mediation efforts.
CNN observed that the informal setting at Trump’s Palm Beach residence helped lower tensions, even if it did not deliver substantive agreements.
What Comes Next?
Trump later confirmed that talks with Zelenskyy would continue. For his part, the Ukrainian president has announced that Ukrainian and U.S. delegations will hold another round of talks this week to finalize key elements of a peace framework.
Zelenskyy thanked Trump for what he called a “strong and substantive meeting,” saying their discussions covered the full range of issues related to ending the war.
As The Gaze previously reported, U.S. and Ukrainian leaders Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to the media after meeting on December 28.
Read also on The Gaze: Why Donald Trump is Interested in a Quick, Not Quality, Completion of the War in Ukraine