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Giuseppe Sarcina
Progress is being made at Mar-a-Lago, but there is still no agreement: “One or two issues remain.” The American president listens to Putin and assures: “He’s serious.” Then he praises the European allies
At the end of the meeting, Donald Trump e Volodymyr Zelensky they say agree 90-95%. But the fundamental questions are missing: the fate of Donbass and the security guarantees.
The day highlighted the dynamics of the negotiations.
At this stage, Vladimir Putin and Zelensky are engaged in some kind of political-diplomatic tug of war to bring Donald Trump into their camp.
The American president, welcoming the Ukrainian leader to his resort in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, appeared more well disposed than other timeseven going so far as to openly praise the host: “He’s a brave man”.
Shortly before, however, Putin had spoken for two and a half hours. The Kremlin immediately tried to capitalize on the long video callarguing that Moscow and Washington agree on how to resolve the key step of the negotiation.
If Zelensky wants peace, he must take one «quick decision» on Donbass, i.e. must order his army to retreat also from the territory still under its control.
Shortly afterwards, however, responding to journalists, alongside Zelensky, Trump said that “there are no deadlines” for the negotiation and also repeated it in the final press conference. Evidently, Trump has taken note of that it is useless to pose ultimatumsgiven that “everything is very complex”.
If this position holds, and doubt is mandatory when «The Donald» is in action, Zelensky will have achieved a first result: deal without overwhelming pressure and, possibly, without anyone forcing his hand. In other words, free yourself from the cage into which Putin forced him, with the decisive complicity of Trump.
However, the tycoon made it known that he “had a good conversation with Putin”. For what reason? According to the most popular interpretation among European diplomats, Trump believes he has identified the potential path to bring the two sides closer.
The Kremlin he wants all of Donbassbut in exchange he seems willing to accept safety guarantees supplied by the United States and, within certain limits, also by the Europeans.
On the other side, Zelensky is not convinced: perhaps he could agree to take a step back from the front line, only if he gets a deterrent mechanism really believable.
This is why yesterday the US delegation insisted on this aspect: how to protect in the future sovereignty and new borders of Ukraine. And this is where the fourth side is added, that of the Europeans.
For once, the US president has praised the allies of the Old Continent: «They did an exceptional job». Which? Study the military device thoroughly to reassure Zelensky and the Ukrainian population.
Two solutions are being examined, which in theory could also be added. France and the United Kingdom are pushing for sending an interposition forceto be deployed in the Ukrainian rear, once the ceasefire has been reached.
The other formula, born from an Italian proposal, consists in extending it to Ukraine Article 5 of the NATO Treaty: all allies rush to the rescue of an attacked partner.
Trump, however, imagines for the United States a more secluded role compared to that assigned to Europeans and, in any case, he wouldn’t send marines to defend Ukraine. It will be up to the Europeans to mobilize their armies.
For Zelensky, however, this coverage would be insufficient. Even yesterday, the Ukrainian president tried to urge a greater US involvementoffering economic advantages for American companies interested in reconstruction of the country and the exploitation of its mineral resources.
Trump himself, in statements to reporters, alluded to the “possible earnings” for everyone. We will soon see whether the move to Mar-a-Lago will have a concrete follow-up.
It could be held in Washington in early January another summit between Zelensky, Trump and European leaders. They will continue in parallel contacts with Moscow. The US president expects to have a response from Putin within a few weeks.
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December 29, 2025 (changed December 29, 2025 | 07:16)
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