For Zelensky, Keeping Trump Talking About a Ukraine Peace Deal Is a Victory

Even without concrete outcomes, the Ukrainian president sidestepped the pitfalls of past talks

President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump may not have produced a signed agreement, but it succeeded in a subtler, yet significant, way: it kept the conversation about a Ukrainian peace settlement alive.

What mattered most was that Zelensky avoided the kind of diplomatic dead‑ends that have plagued earlier negotiations. While no new cease‑fire terms or territorial concessions were announced, the fact that Trump continued to mention Ukraine in public statements was, in Zelensky’s view, a strategic win.

Analysts note that maintaining international attention on the conflict is crucial for Kyiv, especially as war fatigue grows in Western capitals. By ensuring that the issue remained on Trump’s agenda, Zelensky preserved a channel of influence that could prove vital in future diplomatic efforts.

Critics argue that the lack of tangible progress is a disappointment, yet the Ukrainian leader emphasizes that the real battle is often about perception and pressure. As long as high‑profile figures keep the peace process in the spotlight, Ukraine retains leverage in the broader geopolitical arena.