Trump's art of the 'peace' deal for Ukraine and Russia

AUSTIN, Texas - Did President Donald Trump's unpredictable, unsubtle and transactional diplomacy just produce the beginnings of peace in Ukraine? It just may have, after his high-stakes discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a delegation of Europe's top leaders at the White House on Aug 18.

- Bhagyashree Garekar

Next on the cards is a bilateral meeting, bringing Mr Zelensky face to face with Russian President Vladimir Putin, to be followed possibly by a trilateral meeting moderated by Mr Trump, who has acted as the catalyst.

No dates or venues have been disclosed at the beginning of what could be a path fraught with pitfalls. And it is far from certain Mr Putin will actually agree to meet Mr Zelensky. The Russian leader has declined past invitations for a bilateral meeting.

"I am not saying they are going to leave that room best friends," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a TV interview after the meetings.

"I am not saying they are going to leave that room with a peace deal, but I think the fact that people are now talking to each other, this wasn't happening for three and a half years." As for Ukraine, it seems to be closing in on the security guarantees it needs. That is short of the admission to the Nato military alliance that it has sought, but is proximate enough, with the US and Europe providing weaponry and being open to stationing troops in the country.

Tough issues remain to be sorted out, like the Russian demand that Ukraine cede large tracts of territory to end the war.

But it is a start.

"We spoke about very sensitive points," Mr Zelensky said about his closely watched encounter with Mr Trump, calling it a "good conversation".

That is a big change from the verbal duel the two leaders engaged in the last time Mr Zelensky was at the White House. At the same time, Mr Trump's embrace of the Ukrainian cause was not as full-throated as the seven European leaders he hosted.

On the contrary, early on in the live telecast of remarks across the table from the Europeans, he struck a complimentary note towards Mr Putin: "I have always had a great relationship with him. I think President Putin wants to find an answer..."