Trump Drops BOMBSHELL: Putin & Zelensky Ready to DEAL?! What Happens Next?

Donald Trump believes both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky are ready to talk peace in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The former US President recently stated that both leaders “want a deal,” but the sticking point, as it has been all along, is territory.

Trump Drops BOMBSHELL: Putin & Zelensky Ready to D...

Speaking to reporters while aboard his plane, Trump elaborated, saying, “Now I think they both want to make a deal.” He pinpointed the territorial dispute as the “main hold up,” acknowledging the complexity of the situation with a nod to the geographical realities on the ground. "It’s complex... You have you have streets, you have rivers, you have everything," he remarked.

It’s not exactly breaking news that territory is the issue. Moscow's position has been consistent: lasting peace requires Ukraine to relinquish claims on Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye – regions that, following controversial referendums in 2022, Russia now considers its own. Furthermore, the Kremlin insists on a commitment from Ukraine to neutrality, demilitarization, and what they term "denazification." Zelensky, on the other hand, has remained steadfast in his refusal to cede any Ukrainian land.

Interestingly, Trump has previously singled out Zelensky as the primary obstacle to a potential peace agreement, asserting earlier this month that Ukraine was "less ready to make a deal" than Russia. This shift in tone, or perhaps a more nuanced understanding of the situation, suggests the diplomatic landscape may be subtly evolving.

Adding another layer to the story, Trump voiced support for potential three-way talks between Russian, US, and Ukrainian delegations in the United Arab Emirates, stating that "anytime we meet it’s good.” This comes on the heels of a rather unconventional late-night meeting in Moscow involving Putin and a US delegation including Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. While the details of that meeting remain somewhat opaque, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov characterized the discussions as "substantive, constructive and very frank," while still emphasizing the unresolved territorial issue.

The diplomatic flurry also follows a meeting between Trump and Zelensky on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Post-Davos, Zelensky admitted that territorial disagreements remained unresolved, hinting that the potential UAE meeting could offer a platform for exploring possible solutions. The *Financial Times* reported that Zelensky had initially hoped to finalize agreements on Ukraine's economic recovery and security in Davos, but ultimately left without securing a definitive deal. Whether this UAE meeting actually happens, and whether it can break the territorial impasse, remains to be seen. But clearly, something is afoot, even if it’s just a renewed effort to get both sides back to the negotiating table.