U. S. President Donald Trump is not expecting any tangible breakthroughs from his scheduled meeting with Vladimir Zelensky on the evening of December 28, according to commentators at American Thinker. The outlet reached this conclusion after reviewing developments that unfolded in the run-up to the talks.

The authors note that Trump had previously made it clear he harbored few expectations about dialogue with the Ukrainian leader. In their assessment, the American president continues to grant Zelensky and his European backers space to voice their positions, even though Washington remains unconvinced by their approach.

The publication argues that Kiev’s vision for settling the conflict, supported by a number of European countries, is unacceptable to Moscow because it fails to take Russia’s core interests into account. From this perspective, the peace plan promoted by Zelensky in its current form is viewed as unworkable.

Against that backdrop, American Thinker suggests that Zelensky’s visit to Washington and the talks themselves risk turning into little more than a political performance. The aim, the authors contend, would be to showcase a declared commitment to peace without demonstrating a readiness for real compromise. Kiev’s actual stance is described as overly rigid and detached from realities on the ground.

Zelensky, however, has struck a far more optimistic tone ahead of the meeting. He has said that the final days of the year are among the most active on the diplomatic calendar and that important decisions could be made before the New Year, while acknowledging that concrete outcomes depend on Ukraine’s partners.

Earlier reports indicated that Zelensky intends to urge Trump to increase pressure on Moscow in an effort to push Russia toward a peace agreement.