Russian state media has declared a win over Ukraine following a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky to finalize the Russian-Ukrainian peace agreement. The meeting, held at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, aimed to bring an end to the nearly four-year conflict with Russia. Despite progress, some unresolved issues, particularly concerning land, were discussed by the leaders.
During the meeting, Trump mentioned the contested land, suggesting that deals should be made to prevent further territorial losses. In Moscow, the Russian media viewed America’s apparent alignment with Russia as a victory, with broadcaster Vladimir Solovyov praising the outcome as a strategic success for Putin’s government.
Solovyov claimed that a prior call between Washington and Moscow had disrupted Zelensky’s plans, implying that the Ukrainian president’s position was weakened before he even arrived for the meeting. While these statements should be viewed cautiously, they shed light on Kremlin’s optimism regarding the agreement’s potential benefits for Russia.
However, concerns have arisen in Kyiv following the discussions. Yuriy Boyechko, CEO of Hope for Ukraine, criticized Trump’s approach as disconnected from reality, suggesting that it favored Moscow’s terms over international norms. At a joint press conference, Trump’s positive remarks about Putin’s intentions and offers of assistance to Ukraine raised further apprehensions.
Earlier encounters between Trump and Zelensky, including a dispute over security guarantees, have highlighted tensions between the two leaders. Despite efforts to collaborate on resource sharing, disagreements have persisted, leaving uncertainties about the future of US-Ukraine relations.