Zelensky and Putin may talk for the first time in five years: what is known
29 December 09:23For the first time in more than five years, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may have a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Such a scenario is not ruled out in the United States after Zelenskyy’s recent meeting with US President Donald Trump. This was reported by Fox News, citing sources familiar with the course of peaceful consultations, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
Meeting in Mar-a-Lago as a possible impetus for dialogue
According to the TV channel, the talks between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy held at the Mar-a-Lago residence may create conditions for the first direct contact between the heads of state of Ukraine and Russia in the last five years.
Media interlocutors note that organizing a phone call between Zelenskyy and Putin could be a major diplomatic victory for Trump, who positions himself as a key mediator in the peace process.
The US peace plan and Trump’s role
Fox News sources say that the discussions are centered on a 20-point peace plan supported by the United States and developed over several weeks of consultations. The document envisages compromises on both sides – Kyiv and Moscow – in order to engage the parties in direct negotiations.
According to the TV channel’s source, Donald Trump is currently considered “the most successful mediator,” as personal relations between Zelenskyy and Putin remain extremely tense and emotional, making direct dialogue difficult.
Why the contact between Zelenskyy and Putin was interrupted
According to Fox News sources, the last phone conversation between Zelensky and Putin took place in July 2020. Back then, the parties spoke amid a scandal surrounding the operation to detain Wagner PMC militants.
After that, according to the TV channel, the Russian president refused to get in touch, despite repeated attempts by the Ukrainian side to resume the dialogue. Tensions between the leaders existed even before the complete cessation of communication – Putin was restrained during the talks, while Zelenskyy tried to establish contact.
A lost window of opportunity in 2024
Sources also claim that in August-September 2024, there was a real possibility of resuming negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. However, according to them, this chance was lost after Ukrainian troops entered the Kursk region.
Ukraine’s position and Trump’s statement
Earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, summarizing his meeting with Donald Trump in Mar-a-Lago, called the talks productive and announced significant progress in cooperation between Ukraine and the United States in recent weeks.
For his part, Donald Trump noted that the process of peace agreements is in its final stages. At the same time, he warned that if the talks fail, the war could drag on for a long period. According to the US president, Vladimir Putin is serious about ending the war, and both Kyiv and Moscow are committed to peace.
