Up First from NPR Trump Zelensky Meeting, Netanyahu Mar-a-Lago Meeting, Rough Year For Poverty Aid
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Dec 29, 2025 
Jennifer Ludden, an NPR correspondent specializing in anti-poverty programs, discusses the escalating funding challenges faced by Community Action Agencies amid rising needs. Michelle Kellman, reporting from Jerusalem, dives into Netanyahu's high-stakes visit with Trump regarding the Gaza ceasefire and regional tensions with Iran and Hezbollah. Together, they navigate the complexities of international diplomacy and the grassroots impacts of funding crises, illuminating how these issues interconnect on both a local and global scale.
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Progress Without A Peace Agreement
- The Trump–Zelensky meeting signals momentum but not a finished deal on Ukraine's future.
- Major obstacles like Donbass control, long-term security guarantees, and the nuclear plant remain unresolved.
Putin's Commitment Is Unclear
- Trump expressed optimism after speaking with Putin but Russia continued attacks, raising doubts about Moscow's readiness to stop fighting.
- Trump's shifting tone toward Putin underscores unpredictability in brokering any trilateral agreement.
Sticking Points: Donbass And Guarantees
- Donbass and long-term security guarantees are core sticking points between Ukraine, Russia, and potential mediators.
- Zelensky requested 30–50 year guarantees, while Trump called remaining issues "very tough."