Former President Donald Trump made a striking statement regarding Russia’s stance on Ukraine following peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Florida resort. Trump told reporters that Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed, adding that President Putin had expressed positive sentiments and potentially offered support through low-cost energy supplies. This declaration stands in stark contrast to the reality of ongoing Russian attacks, which included a deadly bombing in eastern Ukraine on the very day of the Zelenskyy-Trump meeting. Zelenskyy had previously provided data on the sheer volume of Russian aerial bombardments, including thousands of drones and hundreds of missiles targeting Ukraine’s people and infrastructure. Trump, who also hosted Zelenskyy for dinner, raised the possibility of a future trilateral meeting with Putin, expressing confidence in Putin’s desire for such an encounter. Trump shared details of an extensive phone call with Putin, discussing numerous matters. On the prospects for peace, Trump conveyed a sense of imminent progress, describing a peace agreement as being ‘very close.’ However, he also cautioned about the delicate nature of the negotiations and the possibility of unexpected setbacks, predicting a clearer picture within weeks. Trump indicated that he would engage in a conversation with Putin immediately after his meeting with Zelenskyy concluded. Separately, President Zelenskyy announced that his and the U.S. teams will meet next week to finalize a 20-point peace plan, emphasizing the critical role of security guarantees. He also confirmed an agreement for Trump to host Ukrainian and European leaders in Washington, D.C., in January.
