The Trump administration intensified diplomatic efforts to broker Ukraine peace while the president himself held back from direct meetings with Putin and Zelensky. Trump stated he would engage the two leaders personally only after negotiations produce a nearly finalized agreement.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff received authorization for Moscow talks with President Putin, while Army Secretary Dan Driscoll transitioned to engagement with Ukrainian representatives. The dual-track approach reflects administration strategy to address concerns and demands from both conflicting parties simultaneously.
An initial 28-point American peace proposal generated intense controversy, with Ukrainian and European officials objecting to provisions they viewed as excessively favorable to Russia. Subsequent negotiating sessions in Geneva and Abu Dhabi produced revisions that administration officials claim address many concerns.
Despite White House optimism, significant international doubt persists about whether these negotiations will yield a lasting settlement. The core problem remains unchanged: acceptable terms for Ukraine typically prove unacceptable to Russia, and vice versa, creating seemingly irreconcilable positions.
Ukrainian officials have publicly requested opportunities for President Zelensky to meet with Trump, viewing direct presidential engagement as essential for resolving the most difficult issues. Zelensky emphasized ongoing communication with the American side while carefully avoiding confirmation of any specific agreements.