At this point, anybody can see that Putin will not agree to a peace deal which doesn’t grant him Ukraine, or for now, the part of Ukraine that Russia controls.
Talking to Zelensky won’t solve anything. Zelensky will just reiterate Ukraine’s needs for American aid, and that of the EU/NATO or anybody else that wants to get involved ip pushing back Russia.
I can only surmise that what Trump is doing, in the face of intransigence from Russia/Putin, is seeking a deal which will leave no doubts that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. The other deals he has negotiated to end other minor wars/conflicts, are enough for the liberal-minded Nobel committee members. Trump has to go BIG, or no peace prize.
I agree with you but lets hope for the best on these Trump-Russia-Ukraine negotiations. Talking is better that killing thousands each month. We might get lucky.
Trump knows he needs to get us out of this war or he'll be blamed for it.
He also knows Ukraine's only choices are conceding the annexed territory and remaining neutral toward Russia or losing far more territory and lives.