Zelensky Set to Meet Trump in U.S. for Ukraine Peace Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday as diplomatic efforts intensify to end the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian newspaper Kyiv Post and U.S. news outlet Axios, citing Ukrainian sources, reported that the meeting is likely to take place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence. The White House has yet to officially confirm the engagement.
Zelensky told journalists on Friday that a revised 20-point peace plan is now about 90 per cent complete, expressing optimism that talks with Trump could help finalise the framework.
“Our task now is to bring everything to 100 per cent,” he said, adding that “a lot can be decided before the New Year.”
The planned meeting follows a briefing by Ukraine’s lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, on recent peace talks with U.S. officials aimed at ending the conflict, which began nearly four years ago following Russia’s invasion.
Trump, who has pushed strongly for a negotiated settlement and is seeking a Nobel Peace Prize, has deployed a negotiating team led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. Both officials have held intensive discussions with Ukrainian representatives, while Zelensky also spoke with them by phone on Thursday.
In an interview with Axios, Zelensky said Ukraine could consider holding a referendum on the peace plan, but only if Russia agrees to a ceasefire lasting at least 60 days. U.S. officials are reportedly pushing for a shorter truce period.
Despite the progress, Zelensky voiced scepticism over Moscow’s willingness to accept Trump’s proposals. “I have some intelligence, but at this moment I want to believe only the words of leaders,” he said.
Diplomatic activity has accelerated since Trump unveiled an earlier 28-point peace plan in late November, which unsettled Kyiv and some of its allies by reflecting several Russian positions. Ukraine and its partners have since worked on a revised 20-point proposal, discussed at meetings in Berlin and Miami with senior U.S. officials. Washington has also conducted separate talks with Moscow.
Zelensky publicly unveiled the 20-point plan on Christmas Eve, with key provisions including strong security guarantees for Ukraine similar to NATO’s Article 5 mutual defence clause.
Russia’s response has been cautious. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Friday that Russian and U.S. officials recently held another phone call on ending the war, involving President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov.
According to Russian media reports, Putin has reiterated Moscow’s demand for full control of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions, a major sticking point in negotiations. Ukraine continues to defend the territories and has rejected any withdrawal.
Reports also suggest Putin is open to negotiating a withdrawal from other occupied areas and has discussed U.S. proposals for joint management of the Russian-held Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. Ukraine, however, insists on regaining control of the facility and operating it jointly with the United States.
As talks continue across multiple fronts, Zelensky’s expected meeting with Trump is seen as a crucial step in shaping the final contours of a possible peace deal.
