Donald Trump has publicly expressed frustration with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, claiming the Ukrainian President is unprepared to sign a US-brokered peace proposal despite three days of high-stakes negotiations in Florida.

The stalemate marks a critical juncture in a conflict that has reshaped global geopolitics and, closer to home, disrupted the supply chains that dictate fuel and fertilizer prices across Kenya. As Washington attempts to replicate its recent success with the Gaza ceasefire, Kyiv remains hesitant to accept terms that critics fear could compromise its sovereignty.

The Florida Stalemate

Speaking to reporters on Sunday night, Trump did not mince words regarding the deadlock. He alleged that while Zelenskyy’s advisors were amenable to the terms, the President himself was the bottleneck.

“I’m a little bit disappointed that President Zelenskyy hasn’t yet read the proposal, that was as of a few hours ago. His people love it, but he hasn’t,” Trump asserted. He went further to suggest that Moscow was already on board, stating, “Russia is, I believe, fine with [the deal], but I’m not sure that Zelenskyy’s fine with it. He isn’t ready.”

The Ukrainian delegation offered a more diplomatic, yet telling, assessment of the weekend. Zelenskyy characterized the marathon discussions as “constructive, although not easy,” a phrase often used in diplomatic circles to signal significant disagreements over territorial or security concessions.

The European Pivot

With the American proposal in limbo, the diplomatic center of gravity shifts immediately to Europe. Zelenskyy is scheduled to land in London on Monday for urgent talks with a triumvirate of European power:

• Keir Starmer: The UK Prime Minister, who is hosting the summit.
• Emmanuel Macron: The French President.
• Olaf Scholz: The German Chancellor.

The agenda in London is expected to focus heavily on the details of the US proposal. Prime Minister Starmer has repeatedly emphasized that Ukraine must determine its own future, recently noting that a European peacekeeping force would play a “vital role” in any long-term security architecture.

Global Stakes, Local Impact

For Kenyans watching these developments, the outcome of these talks is not merely academic. A prolonged conflict continues to strain the global economy, keeping pressure on the shilling and the cost of imported wheat. Conversely, a rushed peace deal that fails to hold could lead to greater instability.

While US officials claim they are in the “final stage” of an agreement, the disconnect between Trump’s optimism and Zelenskyy’s caution suggests a wide gap remains. As the talks move from the sunny coast of Florida to the grey skies of London, the world waits to see if a compromise is possible, or if the war is set to grind on into another bitter winter.