Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy emerged from their high-stakes meeting at Mar-a-Lago claiming "terrific" progress, yet the diplomatic pleasantries failed to mask a stark reality: the war’s most difficult questions remain unanswered.

For a world weary of conflict—and a Kenyan economy still buffering the shocks of disrupted grain and fuel supply chains—the lack of a definitive breakthrough suggests that the volatility driving global inflation is not ending anytime soon. While the optics were positive, the mechanics of peace remain jammed.

The "90 Percent" Illusion

The summit in Florida was characterized by a strange paradox of numbers. President Zelenskyy entered the meeting stating that 90% of the peace plan was complete, and he exited the meeting citing the exact same figure. This statistical stagnation indicates that while the framework is there, the final pieces of the puzzle are proving nearly impossible to fit.

President Trump, employing his signature optimism, described the parties as getting "very close" to a deal. However, analysts note that in high-level diplomacy, the final 10% often holds 100% of the risk. Trump himself acknowledged that "one or two thorny issues remain," warning that unexpected complications could still cause the entire process to collapse.

Territory: The Unresolved Core

The primary stumbling block remains the status of the Donbas region and other occupied territories. The divergence in views here is not just political; it is fundamental.

• The US Stance: Trump labeled the territorial dispute an "unresolved issue" but expressed a belief it could be settled, without offering a specific roadmap.
• The Ukrainian Stance: Zelenskyy was unequivocal, insisting on respect for Ukrainian law and "the territory which we control."

This deadlock is critical. As long as the map of Europe remains contested, the sanctions and trade barriers that ripple out to affect import costs in Mombasa and Nairobi will likely remain in place.

Security and the Putin Factor

Despite the friction over land, there was movement on future safety. Zelenskyy described security guarantees—a vital component for Kyiv to prevent future invasions—as "100% agreed." However, even this success came with a caveat: technical teams must still meet in the coming weeks to finalize the details.

Perhaps the most significant development was Trump’s suggestion of a trilateral meeting involving the United States, Ukraine, and Russia. He hinted that Vladimir Putin "wants to see it happen," though similar claims have been made before without materializing. For now, a direct sit-down between the three powers remains a theoretical ambition rather than a scheduled event.

Global Eyes on Florida

The ripples of this meeting reached across the Atlantic, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer engaging both leaders to sustain momentum. Starmer’s involvement underscores the anxiety in European capitals to secure a "just and lasting peace" before political winds shift further.

As the teams prepare for a potential follow-up meeting in Washington, the message to the Global South is one of cautious patience. The war is not over, and for the Kenyan consumer paying a premium for energy and food, the wait for stability continues.