Trump-Zelensky meeting confirms bilateral peace plan

The meeting in the White House between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has officially concluded, overall showcasing the clear route that the current administration wants to go through in regard to making a settlement in the Ukraine crisis.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and U.S. President Donald Trump (right) laughing as response to a question from a reporter, Kevin Lamarque/Reuters.

The first meeting between the two leaders this year was far from bilateral. Trump, accompanied by VP Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, scolded the Ukrainian leader for refusing "peace," by continuing the "killing" between themselves and the Russians. Then, they attacked Zelensky for being "ungrateful" in regard to accepting U.S. aid during the Biden presidency. Many assumed after this meeting that peace was far from the horizon between the two countries who once considered themselves strategic allies.

However, the second White House meeting proved to be much more successful on August 18th. Right away, the world leaders found sources of agreement, and instead of argument, they embraced each other, both professionally and humorously. Trump finally agreed to give the biggest thing Zelensky wanted post-war: security guarantees, although specifics were not mentioned.

The meeting came after the perceived success from Friday's summit in Alaska between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump, which resulted in both leaders equally willing to reach a peace settlement, and even a possible three-way meeting between Trump, Zelensky, and Putin to reach a resolution. Although Putin affirmed his desire to acquire certain Ukrainian territories, current talks have so far led to the possibility of just ceding the Donbas, which is much less land transferring compared to previous demands for all "occupied territory" to the Russian Federation.

The previously uncompromising Zelensky soon found agreement today as a much fairer peace agreement was proposed. Now is more likely than ever, possibly even more than right after the war started, for a real, lasting peace settlement to be reached. Many analysts have even reduced their chances of a ceasefire while believing that a real peace agreement could be made.

Trump will also meet with key European leaders to confirm if they are in support of the deal, improving its chances internationally.