After the meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump in Mar-a-Lago, there was public talk of ‘progress’, but the key positions of the parties remained unchanged. Russia continues to insist on maximum demands, and there are no signs that Vladimir Putin is ready for real peace.
This is reported by Bild.
One day after the summit in Mar-a-Lago, one thing is clear: Russian dictator Putin remains unyielding on crucial issues. He does not give an inch in negotiations. The friendly atmosphere of the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy cannot hide the fact that nothing has changed in the basic positions.
“We can hold countless meetings and dozens of telephone conversations, but one thing remains unchanged: Putin wants the entire Donbas — and much more. He has never clearly stated that he wants peace,‘ said a source in the Ukrainian government.
This assessment coincides with what Zelenskyy himself said on Fox News when asked if he sees signs of peace.
’To be honest, I don’t see any such signs. I don’t hear it publicly. He doesn’t talk about peace. He says he can go further. These are not signals of peace,” Zelenskyy said.
While Washington and Mar-a-Lago are talking about optimism, Moscow is sticking to its maximum demands. Putin is demonstrating military strength and political intransigence, not a willingness to compromise.
All of Ukraine’s proposals, including a possible referendum on a demilitarised zone in Donbas — which would require a ceasefire — have so far been rejected. Not only by Putin, but also by Trump. This eliminates one of the few ideas that could, at least in theory, pave the way for de-escalation.
Added to this is Ukraine’s fundamental distrust of such models. Experience since 2014 shows that Russia signs agreements — and then violates them. From Ukraine’s point of view, a demilitarised zone leaves key questions unanswered: who will guarantee security? What will happen if Russian troops appear? Who will respond and how quickly?
Ukrainian tactics regarding negotiations
Ukraine’s tactics in recent days have been clear: to prevent Trump from uncritically accepting what Putin tells him. Kyiv is trying to ensure that the American side sees Ukraine’s arguments, involves Europe and conducts real negotiations — instead of simply accepting Russia’s maximum demands.
“After telephone conversations with Putin, we see the same pattern every time.
Trump then returns to Russia’s maximum demands — even though he had previously shown understanding. How can we agree to a peace that is effectively tantamount to surrender?” said a Ukrainian diplomat, who was not named.
New escalation: Kremlin claims attack on Putin’s residence
On Monday evening, there was another escalation. Russia accused Ukraine of attempting to attack President Putin’s residence and announced that it would strengthen its negotiating position. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that on 28 and 29 December, Ukraine attacked the president’s state residence in the Novgorod region with 91 long-range drones. These ‘reckless actions’ will not go unanswered. Russia has already selected targets for retaliatory strikes in Ukraine.
Ukraine immediately dismissed these accusations as lies. President Zelensky said that Moscow is deliberately trying to use these accusations to disrupt progress in negotiations between Ukraine and the United States. In fact, Russia is preparing new strikes on government buildings in Kyiv. The US must respond appropriately to these threats.
Security guarantees remain uncertain
At the same time, another key issue remains unresolved: security guarantees. Although there was talk of ‘100% unity’ after the summit, there are no concrete details. There are no details about troops, mandates or response mechanisms. Although Europe is involved, the question remains open as to whether European states are prepared to take on real military risks — especially against the backdrop of Russian threats to consider Western troops legitimate targets.
The open competition for the favour of Trump and his entourage continues. The crucial question is how long the US president will be willing to push this process forward — whether he will lose patience at some point. It is noteworthy that he is already refraining from setting clear deadlines or ultimatums. The president, who once promised to end the war quickly, now believes it could go on for a long time.
There is unity in the Ukrainian government and military: there is no indication that Putin is ready for real compromises.
‘The intensity of Russian attacks on all sections of the front speaks for itself,’ the publication quotes its source in the Armed Forces of Ukraine as saying.