President Donald Trump, author of “The Art of the Deal,” is now tackling one of the most difficult deals of all: ending the war in Ukraine. His administration is at the center of a new effort to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy together for direct negotiations.
The classic Trumpian approach is visible. The process began with a direct, high-level conversation—a phone call between Trump and Putin—which the White House claims sealed the deal for a summit. The administration is now projecting confidence and urgency, announcing a two-week timeline to maintain momentum.
However, Trump himself has acknowledged the difficulty, admitting that Putin’s cooperation is not guaranteed. “It’s possible that he doesn’t want to make a deal,” he said, injecting a dose of realism into his otherwise optimistic commentary about Putin being “tired” of the war. This blend of public confidence and private caution is a hallmark of his negotiating style.
As Trump orchestrates the process, the other parties are preparing. Zelenskyy is ready to negotiate on territory. Allies are discussing security guarantees. And Trump has defined the U.S. commitment, offering potential air support while taking the politically popular step of ruling out American ground troops.