Miami showdown: Will Trump force Zelensky onto Putin’s path? The short answer: there’s no proof he can—or will—do that today. What’s real is leverage and theater: Trump invited cameras to Mar‑a‑Lago, and just before the meeting he boasted of a “very productive” call—not with Zelensky, but with Vladimir Putin. That’s where this story really starts.
The most important correction first
- Key fact: Trump said he phoned Putin shortly before today’s meeting with Ukraine’s president, not that he and Zelensky spoke by phone. Several reports confirm Trump’s post; BILD misattributed the call. AP, Mediaite
Why this call matters
- Minutes before facing Zelensky, Trump publicly aligned himself with the only other person who can end this war quickly: Putin. It’s a stage cue as much as a diplomatic signal.
- The meeting itself is set for 1:00 p.m. ET (19:00 in Berlin) in Mar‑a‑Lago’s main dining room—with press invited, according to Trump’s own post. Mediaite
What’s actually on the table
- A roughly 20‑point peace framework is under discussion, reportedly “90%” drafted, with territory and security guarantees still contentious. Russia escalated strikes in recent days, hardening negotiations. Reuters, AP
- Proposals have floated special arrangements in parts of Donbas—demilitarized or economic zones—but there is no agreed map, and Zelensky publicly rejects ceding land. Reuters
The referendum hinge—and the 60‑day clock
- Zelensky says any deal involving “very difficult” territorial choices would likely go to a nationwide vote. To hold such a vote safely, he’s floated a minimum 60‑day ceasefire. Axios, Interfax‑Ukraine
- He also says he’s ready to hold national elections within 60–90 days—if the U.S. and Europe can guarantee security and Ukraine adapts its legal framework for voting under martial law. The Guardian
The legal reality on “legitimacy”
- Wartime elections are suspended under martial law. Under Ukraine’s constitution, Zelensky’s legitimacy continues until a new president is sworn in. That’s why no national elections have been held since Russia’s 2022 full‑scale invasion. AP
- Despite that, both Putin and Trump have questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy or demanded new elections. TASS
High drama, real leverage
- We’ve seen this movie before: the late‑February Oval Office clash where Trump and VP JD Vance berated Zelensky on live camera; a later press event was canceled amid backlash. Washington Post
- After that meeting, the U.S. paused military aid pending review and conditions—a precedent for using pressure if talks sour again. That doesn’t prove future coercion, but it shows the tool exists. Reuters
What the original article gets right
- The where/when/press‑invited details of the Mar‑a‑Lago meeting (today, 1 p.m. ET; main dining room; cameras rolling). Mediaite
- The plan talk: there is an evolving U.S.–Ukraine framework and a fierce dispute over territory and guarantees. Reuters
- Zelensky’s openness to a referendum and to elections within 60–90 days, contingent on security and legal changes. Axios, The Guardian
Key corrections and cautions
- Misattributed phone call: Trump said he spoke with Putin, not Zelensky, before today’s meeting. AP
- “Preplanned humiliation” in February: the Oval Office scene was televised and caustic; calling it preplanned is interpretation, not proven fact. ADN
- “Former loyalists demand elections”: too broad without names; Ukraine’s opposition is split, and many oppose wartime voting. The Guardian
- “Hand over large parts of the country”: the size and status of any territorial trade‑offs are not agreed. Sweeping statements are speculation. AP
So—could Trump “force” Zelensky toward Putin’s terms?
- What’s verified: Trump can apply pressure—political, financial, and military—much as he did after the February dust‑up. And he’s signaling to Putin as the talks begin. Reuters, AP
- What’s not established: that a binding deal exists, that Zelensky will concede territory, or that Trump can compel him to accept a “Putin‑course.” Zelensky maintains any hard trade‑offs would go to voters—and would require a ceasefire first. Axios, Interfax‑Ukraine
How we vetted this
- We matched BILD’s timing and venue details against Trump’s Truth Social post as cited by multiple outlets. Mediaite
- We cross‑checked claims on the peace framework, election law, and ceasefire/refendum requirements with Reuters, AP, Axios, and Interfax‑Ukraine. Reuters, AP, Axios, Interfax‑Ukraine
- We flagged as unverified BILD’s quotes from economist Alexander Rodnyansky urging early elections; we found his credentials, not those precise remarks elsewhere. WEF
What to watch next
- Cameras at Mar‑a‑Lago: Trump has invited press at least for the opening shots. Expect public posturing. Mediaite
- Any mention of a ceasefire window to enable a referendum—this is the legal/logistical bottleneck for any deal. Axios
- Signals on U.S. aid: conditions, pauses, or reviews would show pressure tactics are back in play. Reuters
Bottom line
- The image of Trump forcing Zelensky into Putin’s lane makes for sharp headlines. The facts point to something murkier: a high‑pressure negotiation, a partially written plan, and a Ukrainian leader who says the hardest choices must be made by voters—if the guns fall silent long enough to let them choose.