Staff Reports
President Trump has been on a diplomatic roll, engaging in back-to-back conversations aimed at achieving peace or, at the very least, some semblance of it between Russia and Ukraine. On Wednesday, he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about a proposed ceasefire, just hours after chatting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. One wonders if Trump is trying to hold the record for most phone calls in a presidential term, or if it’s simply a part of his strategy to whittle down conflicts into manageable business negotiations.
The duo, Trump and Zelenskyy, tentatively agreed on a 30-day ceasefire that focuses on sparing each country’s energy infrastructure from further incursions. Despite Trump’s cheery disposition about the conversation, proclaiming it “very good,” considerable roadblocks remain, especially since Zelenskyy had not exactly been a fan of Trump during that memorable Oval Office encounter last month when things got heated. This time around, Zelenskyy managed to keep it calm and even said the chat was “productive,” which in political-speak usually means “well, we didn’t throw punches this time.”
In a surprising turn, Trump seems to be shifting gears away from his initial plans to dive into Ukraine’s mineral market. Instead, he’s turning his gaze toward possibly running some of their nuclear power plants, citing America’s “expertise” in utilities and electricity. One can practically hear the eye rolls from environmentalists everywhere. The idea, reportedly, is to leverage U.S. know-how to bolster Ukraine’s energy independence, while also ensuring that America has a vested interest in keeping those nuclear plants in good shape. It’s almost like trying to sell a used car while promising to upgrade it to a luxury model.
Trump seeks to keep Ukraine deal momentum going with ‘very good’ Zelenskyy callhttps://t.co/LUWw4St7Fc pic.twitter.com/dmQe7aS8xt
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) March 20, 2025
Interestingly, Trump also pledged renewed support in helping Ukraine secure Patriot missile systems from European stockpiles. This is so classic Trump: promising all kinds of military support while foreseeing no trade-offs. Meanwhile, the Kremlin, true to form, is playing their cards close to the chest by refusing to acknowledge the proposed ceasefire and seems intent on keeping the military pressure up. It must be disheartening for the Ukrainians to hear about Trump’s optimism while seeing missile strikes continue on their infrastructure.
The call for “peace” is almost a comedy sketch at this point. Trump is busy painting a picture of harmony and negotiation, while Zelenskyy cautiously plays along, ensuring that American help is forthcoming, but still grounded in the reality of ongoing battles. Zelenskyy’s concern that negotiations without Ukrainian input will lead nowhere is sensible, even if it sounds a tad like dismissing Trump’s entrepreneurial spirit. The challenges facing these talks aren’t simply about negotiations; they involve lived realities—real people, real suffering, and an opponent who revels in chaos.
While some in Europe are concerned about Trump’s “credulous” nature in dealing with Moscow, it is hard not to admire, or perhaps chuckle at, his unabashed confidence. His recent phone calls have produced a mixed bag of results, and the skepticism from some world leaders is palpable. While he insists that “movement toward peace” is afoot, the practicalities on the ground tell a less reassuring story—one where Ukraine is caught between a proverbial rock and a hard place, with daily bombings continuing unabated.
