Trump & Zelensky's "Very Good Talks": Ukraine Deal on the Brink?!

Hopes for a potential resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine are cautiously rising as diplomatic efforts ramp up on multiple fronts. Former President Trump, deeply involved in behind-the-scenes negotiations, characterized recent discussions with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as "very good talks," fueling speculation of a possible breakthrough.

Trump & Zelensky's "Very Good Talks": Ukraine Deal...

The renewed optimism comes as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, accompanied by Jared Kushner, heads to Moscow today for a crucial meeting with Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. Trump told reporters before Witkoff's departure that "everyone wants to have the war end," adding that he believes a resolution is within reach. "I think we've got it down to one issue and we have discussed iterations of that issue, and that means it's solvable," Trump stated, sounding unusually optimistic. Witkoff echoed this sentiment, adding, "If both sides want to solve this, we're going to get it solved."

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy made a somewhat hasty overnight trip to Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum. Initially, the Ukrainian President had postponed the journey to address the dire situation in Kyiv following recent Russian strikes targeting the city's power infrastructure. The attacks have left vast swathes of the capital without essential services like heating, water, and electricity, a particularly brutal blow during the harsh winter months. I can only imagine the desperation of those families.

Adding a layer of complexity to the situation are pre-existing concerns in Kyiv. Some officials worry that Trump's recent diplomatic spats with European NATO allies, specifically his seemingly perennial interest in Greenland, might be diverting his focus from the pressing matter of the war in Ukraine. It's a fair concern, given the delicate balancing act required in international diplomacy.

Zelenskyy previously revealed, after talks with Trump in Miami last month, that a 20-point U.S. plan to end the war was "90% ready." However, sticking points remain, particularly regarding the Donbas region. Zelenskyy has offered a conditional troop withdrawal from the 25% of the Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control, creating a demilitarized economic zone, but this is contingent on reciprocal action from Russia. Putin's well-known ambition to control the entire Donbas region makes this a significant hurdle.

Another major area of disagreement, as highlighted by Zelenskyy, is the future control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, seized by Russian forces back in March 2022. This remains a highly sensitive issue, given the potential for catastrophic consequences.

It’s also worth noting that Putin has yet to commit to joining Trump's proposed Board of Peace on Gaza, further illustrating the complexities of these interwoven international relationships.

Zelenskyy had hoped to finalize and sign two key documents with Trump at Davos, outlining future security guarantees and economic prosperity for Ukraine. He stated that there was "one mile left to finalize these documents." Whether these signings will actually occur during their meeting at the World Economic Forum remains to be seen. However, Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine's national security and defense council, indicated that discussions regarding economic development, post-war recovery, and security guarantees with U.S. counterparts were ongoing in Davos. So, while the situation remains fluid, the wheels of diplomacy are definitely turning.