The Reality of the Trump-Vance-Zelenskyy Meeting

The televised meeting between President Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and President Zelenskyy has ignited a media firestorm, deepening an already toxic political divide. Partisan voices are in full force—some calling Trump a disgrace while others praise his “America First” stance, some deriding Vance as ignorant while others hail him as a principled leader, and Zelenskyy is alternately labeled a lying dictator and a courageous tactician.

But a meaningful analysis of this meeting goes beyond party-line talking points. The war in Eastern Europe is a brutal conflict that threatens not just Ukraine but Western allies—and, eventually, the United States. While many actors are involved, the key players in relation to us in this moment are three: the United States, Ukraine, and Russia. Understanding their goals is crucial to interpreting what unfolded in the meeting.

The United States’ Priorities

America’s chief objective is ending the war as quickly as possible to prevent further Russian expansion toward NATO allies. A ceasefire and negotiations are in its best interest. Additionally, the American public wants accountability for the billions spent in military aid. Though much of the equipment sent was outdated, some form of financial return is warranted.

Another critical factor is preventing Ukraine from joining NATO. Such a move could escalate the conflict into a global war—one that wouldn’t be resolved by simply leveling Moscow but could drag the world into a prolonged, catastrophic struggle.

Ukraine’s Position

Ukraine, facing mounting losses, has two primary goals: at minimum, it must hold onto its remaining land, even if it means accepting Russian control over conquered territories. Ideally, it wants to reclaim lost land, but its deteriorating military position makes that unlikely without significant foreign intervention.

Russia’s Advantage

Russia has pushed Ukraine to the brink of defeat, steadily gaining ground despite its military shortcomings. While its war effort has revealed weaknesses, it still wields enough power to dictate terms. Its end goal is complete annexation of Ukraine, making it unlikely to surrender captured land willingly.

The Meeting’s Real Purpose: Minerals & Security

The tension in the meeting stems from two key issues: minerals and security.

Currently, the U.S. and Ukraine have a $500 billion mineral deal on the table. The U.S. would gain access to Ukrainian mineral resources and participate in a joint reconstruction investment fund—ensuring an economic stake in Ukraine’s future but with the U.S. offering no security guarantees.

Zelenskyy’s real objective is securing U.S. military backing in case of a ceasefire violation. To reclaim lost territory, Ukraine would need not just American support but a coalition of nations pressuring Russia to retreat. However, Trump has seemingly no interest in committing American troops. Instead, the mineral deal allows the U.S. to recover financial losses while signaling a vested interest in Ukraine’s sovereignty to Russia, allowing for a stronger negotiating stance for Ukraine.

The Path to Resolution

Though the meeting between Trump, Vance, and Zelenskyy turned hostile, it revealed something important: the United States has no interest in supporting Ukraine militarily but is willing to commit diplomatic resources. By signing the mineral deal, the U.S. would send a strong global signal that it values Ukraine’s future and is invested in its success. The tense exchange between leaders made it clear that Ukraine may not yet be ready for such a peace deal. However, ready or not, without U.S. involvement, Ukraine is unlikely to secure any deal at all. A pragmatic resolution requires several difficult but necessary steps:

1. Ukraine must not join NATO. This would immediately escalate the war into a global conflict.

2. The U.S. and Ukraine must finalize the mineral deal. This establishes America’s stake in Ukraine’s future without direct military involvement.

3. Ukraine must cede territory to Russia. After three years of war and continued Russian advances, Ukraine risks total defeat. Negotiating now, while both sides are weakened, is the only viable path to preserving Ukrainian sovereignty.

This is not a perfect solution, nor a fair one—but war rarely offers those.