A notorious Russian state media host and staunch Kremlin ally has crowed over the outcome of US President Donald Trump‘s recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, framing the diplomatic developments as a “knockout victory” for Moscow. Vladimir Solovyov, one of Russia’s most prominent and influential propagandists, devoted a significant segment of his radio programme “Full Contact” to triumphantly analysing the high-stakes Mar-a-Lago talks held on December 28.

In the broadcast, Solovyov declared: “We have achieved a knockout victory, we prepared on a grandmaster’s level on all the main points and it worked.” He went on to portray the specific sequence of Mr Trump’s lengthy phone call with Vladimir Putin—which occurred just as Mr Zelensky was arriving in Florida—as a devastating strategic manoeuvre designed to leave Kyiv’s plans in tatters.

According to Solovyov’s narrative, this diplomatic timing caused the Ukrainian leader to “melt down,” a claim that stood in sharp contrast to Mr Zelensky’s own public demeanour. Throughout the visit, the Ukrainian leader maintained a composed front and spoke of constructive progress, despite the obvious pressure of the moment.

Solovyov further mocked Mr Zelensky’s arrival at the Florida estate, noting it occurred without the traditional fanfare usually afforded to visiting heads of state. He heavily highlighted a briefing from Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, specifically noting that both the Russian and American leadership appeared to agree that temporary ceasefires would merely prolong the conflict rather than solve it.

Solovyov claimed that recent Russian battlefield successes had significantly bolstered Moscow’s hand, contributing to what he characterised as a complete and final diplomatic triumph for the Kremlin’s interests.

The remarks reflect a broader wave of jubilation currently sweeping through pro-Kremlin circles following the summit. While Mr Trump described the meeting as progress, he also flagged that several “thorny” issues regarding the status of the Donbas remain unresolved.

Solovyov, 62, who hosts several prime-time shows on the state-owned Russia-1 channel, is notorious for his aggressive and often violent rhetoric. This has previously included frequent nuclear threats against Western capitals and various justifications for Russia’s invasion through “denazification” claims.

Currently sanctioned by both the EU and the UK for spreading hatred and state-sponsored disinformation, Solovyov’s platforms consistently amplify Moscow’s official line while vilifying Ukraine and its international supporters.

This latest round of gloating emerges amid heightened US-brokered efforts to find an exit ramp for the war, which is now rapidly approaching its fourth year since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

The roots of the fighting, anchored in Moscow’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and the subsequent proxy conflict in the Donbas, have resulted in immense human and structural devastation.

Western intelligence estimates currently place Russian casualties above 790,000 killed or wounded, with Ukrainian losses estimated at around 400,000. Some independent assessments suggest Russia’s true toll may even surpass 1 million when including those with severe, life-altering injuries.

Despite these costs, Russian forces currently control roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory. On the ground, an attritional stalemate continues to define the conflict, where incremental territorial gains are made at the cost of thousands of lives each month on a front that remains largely frozen in terms of major movement.

It was against this backdrop that Mr Trump hosted Mr Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago on December 28, following what was described as a “productive” over-hour-long call with Putin.

In the immediate aftermath, both leaders expressed a sense of cautious optimism. Mr Trump stated that the sides were “closer than ever” to reaching a definitive deal, while Mr Zelensky claimed there was roughly 90 % alignment on a revised 20-point peace plan.

Key provisions of this proposed plan are said to include extended US security guarantees for Ukraine, the possibility of holding referendums on disputed territories, and a system for joint oversight of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

However, the path to a final signature remains blocked. Moscow continues to reject fundamental aspects of the proposal, specifically demanding the formal legal cession of all occupied lands and strict caps on the future size and capability of Ukraine’s military.

Putin has also repeatedly spurned the idea of short-term truces, pushing instead for a full, permanent settlement on his terms while Russian assaults continue unabated.

This included a massive pre-meeting barrage consisting of nearly 500 drones and 40 missiles launched at various Ukrainian cities.

Solovyov’s crowing underscores the hardline propaganda efforts required to sustain domestic backing for the war, even as the negotiations are expected to proceed well into 2026.

Observers have noted that such triumphant narratives in the Russian media risk entrenching political positions even further, making future concessions increasingly difficult to sell to the public despite the battlefield stalemate and mounting economic costs.