Trump pushes Zelensky on flexibility in peace talks

A former US president weighs in on Ukraine diplomacy and NATO expansion, urging Kyiv to show flexibility while signaling possible high level talks.

Trump Pushes Zelensky to Show Flexibility in Peace Talks Blames NATO Expansion

Trump told Fox and Friends that Russia may face a rough situation if it does not pursue peace with Kyiv, and he pressed Zelensky to show flexibility in negotiations. He also revealed that plans were underway for a face to face meeting between Putin and Zelensky as part of a broader round of talks with European leaders and the Ukrainian president at the White House.
Zelensky has said he is ready to meet Putin, while the Kremlin has said it is considering direct talks with Ukraine. AFP cited two sources saying Putin proposed a Moscow meeting, to which Zelensky replied No. The dynamic comes as diplomacy moves through cautious, high stakes channels.

The remarks underscore how dominated diplomacy has become by public messaging from political figures outside the usual negotiating channels. Trump’s comments blend US politics with a crisis that remains existential for Ukraine and its allies. They risk muddying Kyiv’s negotiating position by tying it to public theater in Washington. At the same time, they reveal how fragile diplomacy remains when private talks may hinge on public declarations and perceived leverage. A potential Moscow meeting signals both risk and opportunity, but without a clear plan, it could drift from a substantive strategy into optics.

Highlights

Diplomacy is built on steady, shared aims not on headlines.