According to the RBK-Ukraine website, Ukrainian diplomats have been trying to organize a meeting between Zelensky and the US president for a long time. However, the United States did not agree to this. In late November, Trump said he hoped to meet with Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, but “only if an agreement to end this war is final or in its final stages.”
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What is Russia's position before the meeting between Trump and Zelensky?
What do experts say about the agreement between Ukraine and the USA?
Why is Trump waiting for a meeting with Zelensky?
What are the concerns about pressure on Zelensky?
Before the meeting between Trump and Zelensky. “The positions of Ukraine and the USA have become somewhat closer”
In a statement published on Friday for Politico, Trump said: “(Zelensky) has nothing until I approve it. So we'll see what he has.” According to RBK-Ukraine, it is likely that the United States' current consent to the meeting may mean that the Trump team is confident that the result will be achieved in the foreseeable future.
“I think Trump has the impression that the agreement is practically ready and he can talk about something and get some proposals. But on the other hand, since the meeting will take place at Mar-a-Lago (Trump's estate in Florida – PAP), there is no 100% certainty,” Mahda said in a comment for RBK-Ukraina.
Zelensky has repeatedly declared that he would like to finally discuss the issue of territories during a personal conversation with Trump. According to RBK-Ukraine, thanks to the negotiations, the positions of Ukraine and the US have become somewhat closer.
Against this background, Russia is sending “mixed” signals. As an RBK-Ukraine source informed, signals have come from Moscow that Russia will respond to the ideas presented in the Ukrainian-American draft framework peace agreement after the New Year.
However, due to Kiev's diplomatic activity, Russians are now forced to send certain signals through the media, in particular regarding the alleged “readiness for a ceasefire” in order to hold a referendum in Ukraine.
As an RBK-Ukraine source said, Russia is still trying to feign interest in peace talks, primarily to avoid accusations from the US of breaking off the negotiations.
“I think there will be no public signals of concessions from Russia. This does not correspond to their modus operandi (PAP's way of operating). That is why they will raise rates publicly all the time. This is their logic and it will always be so. There can be no changes here,” Mahda emphasized.
Expert: The agreement between the US and Ukraine will not break Russia's reluctance to end the war
According to RBK-Ukraine, in these conditions, the risk of intensifying pressure on Zelensky and Ukraine is becoming greater. However, as the practice of previous meetings has shown, this approach does not work for the president, especially since Ukraine's European partners will join the meeting.
“At least we will connect online and be in contact with our partners. When we talk about the entire journey, we certainly need to find some format in the near future in which not only Ukraine and America, but also Europe, will be present,” Zelensky told reporters on Wednesday.
“Most likely, this will be the last meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump this year, but it is not about finalizing the document yet. It will be an attempt to finalize it, but I am not sure if it will be effective,” Yevhen Mahda noted.
According to Mahda, even if Kiev and Washington manage to find common ground on controversial issues, it will not remove the fundamental obstacle to peace — “Russia's stubborn reluctance to end the war.”
The Telegraph daily reported on Saturday that Zelensky hopes that during Sunday's meeting in Florida with President Trump he will convince him of his willingness to compromise on the peace plan, which is to ensure American military and intelligence support.
