President Donald Trump put a clear condition on any face-to-face diplomacy this week: he's not sitting down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy or Russian President Vladimir Putin until there's actually a deal on the table.
"I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages," Trump posted on Truth Social Tuesday.
It's a marked shift from the usual diplomatic playbook where leaders meet to hash out differences. Trump's approach puts the cart firmly after the horse—get the details sorted first, then bring in the principals for the photo op.
Ukraine Sees Promise in U.S. Framework
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy's team has been working through the U.S.-prepared document. The Ukrainian president noted that "the principles in this document can be developed into deeper agreements," suggesting the framework provides a workable foundation.
But Zelenskyy also made the geopolitical reality crystal clear: "Much depends on the United States because Russia takes America's strength most seriously." Translation: Moscow pays attention when Washington talks, which makes U.S. involvement essential to any lasting agreement.
Envoys Hit the Ground
Trump isn't just waiting around for progress reports. He's sent Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll to meet with Ukrainian officials as negotiations move forward.
The 28-point peace plan initially had a Thanksgiving deadline, but according to Reuters, Trump has stepped back from that timeframe. Sometimes diplomacy doesn't follow holiday schedules.
Almost There, Maybe
According to Trump, only minor disagreements remain in the peace plan after both nations weighed in. Though last week, he clarified the administration's proposal isn't his final offer—leaving room to maneuver as talks continue.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described the proposal in similar terms, suggesting alignment within the administration's messaging.
Trump also cited a sobering figure: 25,000 soldier deaths last month alone. That number underscores why getting to a deal matters.
All Hands on Deck
Trump said he'll receive progress briefings alongside Vice President JD Vance, Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. It's a sign this isn't being delegated to mid-level staffers—the administration's top tier is monitoring developments closely.
