Here They Go Again: On Upcoming Zelensky-Trump Florida Meet

Trump and Zelensky meet in Florida amid promises and photo ops, but past meetings show little hope of concrete results.

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky are scheduled to meet in Florida this Sunday and the announcements around it carry the familiar language of hope and progress. There is talk of peace plans and assurances, but little clarity on what, if anything, this meeting is expected to deliver. Based on past interactions, expectations should remain low.

Trump’s approach to diplomacy has consistently favoured optics over process. His earlier engagements with Zelensky produced attention, controversy and awkward public moments, but no lasting outcomes. Complex negotiations require consistency and follow-through, neither of which have defined Trump’s dealings with Ukraine so far.

The statements leading up to the meeting avoid specifics. There is no clear outline of security guarantees, no framework for enforcement, and no serious explanation of how Russia would be compelled to engage. Without these elements, talk of peace remains rhetorical rather than actionable.Peace cannot be negotiated on vague assurances or cheerful press conferences.

The meeting will probably end with photographs, polite statements, and promises of progress. Just like the last few meetings, there will be optimism and headlines, but little will change on the ground. These gatherings have become repetitive—same talks, same assurances, same photo ops—without follow-through. Florida may provide sunshine and a backdrop, but it cannot produce peace. Until diplomacy moves beyond appearances, gestures and personalities, these meetings will remain exercises in repetition rather than results. For Zelensky, the stakes are real but for Trump, the optics are everything. And for the world, the pattern is clear, hope is easy to announce, but meaningful change is nowhere in sight.