Sunday's talks between President Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy could pave the way for the first call between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in more than five years, a source familiar with the discussions told Fox News, APA reports.
And while the Mar-a-Lago meeting was framed as a step forward in the peace effort with Trump at the helm, the source also described how securing a direct Zelenskyy-Putin phone call would be a "diplomatic victory" for the president.
"If Putin had joined in a call Sunday, this would have been the greatest achievement in the preparation of the peace talks and the first real step in the peace process," the source told Fox News Digital on condition of anonymity.
"This would be [a] diplomatic victory for President Trump."
"Trump seems to be the most successful mediator because the two of them, Putin and Zelenskyy, perceive each other emotionally, and it is a challenge."
Trump confirmed Sunday that he had spoken with Putin ahead of the Zelenskyy meeting, calling the conversation "good and very productive" in a Truth Social post.
"I do believe that we have the makings of a deal," Trump also told reporters as he stood next to Zelenskyy after he arrived in Florida on Sunday, adding he believes the process can "move very rapidly."
"I think we’re in the final stages of talking, and we’re going to see," Trump said.
"Otherwise, it’s going to go on for a long time. It’ll either end, or it’s going to go on for a long time, and millions of additional people are going to be killed," the president added.
The Florida meeting came days after Zelenskyy also said he had had a "good conversation" with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, both of whom were also present Sunday.
