U.S. President Donald Trump seems at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy upon his arrival for conferences at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago membership in Palm Seaside, Florida, on Dec. 28, 2025.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
President Donald Trump on Sunday welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to his Mar-a-Lago resort and stated that he had a “productive” name with Russian chief Vladimir Putin in Trump’s newest try to finish the battle between the 2 international locations.
“I do imagine that now we have the makings of a deal that’s good for Ukraine, good for everyone,” Trump stated after greeting Zelenskyy face-to-face in short remarks forward of the talks. The 2 males then disappeared behind the heavy gated doorways of Mar-a-Lago.
Earlier Sunday in a Fact Social publish, Trump stated he had a “good and really productive phone name” with Putin forward of the peace talks with Zelenskyy. Trump instructed reporters on Sunday that he deliberate on calling Putin once more after the conclusion of the assembly with Zelenskyy.
The high-stakes conversations come at a key second in efforts to finish almost 4 years of battle initiated when Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022.
Zelenskyy, who arrived in Florida early Sunday, has stated the 2 leaders plan to speak about financial and safety agreements and the “territorial points” that stay main sticking factors between Russia and Ukraine.
Whereas Zelenskyy instructed reporters this week {that a} 20-point peace proposal is roughly 90% prepared, it is unclear if the end result of the peace talks could be acceptable to Putin. Chief obstacles to an settlement with Russia embody the Donbas areas most extremely coveted by Putin, U.S. safety ensures for Ukraine, and the standing of Europe’s largest nuclear plant.
Moscow has reportedly made advances on the battlefield in current months, claiming management over extra areas of japanese Ukraine, and their officers have repeatedly insisted that Ukraine surrender the entire Donbas, even elements which might be nonetheless below Kyiv’s management.
On Saturday, Russia hit Ukraine’s capital and different elements of the nation with a whole lot of missiles and drones, knocking out energy and warmth in elements of the capital, in keeping with Reuters. Zelenskyy known as it Russia’s response to the U.S.-brokered peace efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacts as U.S. President Donald Trump, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, U.S. Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff and White Home Chief of Employees Susan Wiles, speaks throughout a gathering with a Ukrainian delegation led by Zelenskiy, at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago membership in Palm Seaside, Florida, on Dec. 28, 2025.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
The peace proposal consists of requires a Ukrainian vote on ceding disputed territory to Russia, in addition to a demilitarized “free financial zone” in Donetsk, the capital and largest metropolis in a part of the bigger Donbas area.
Zelenskyy on Sunday pointed to the assaults on his nation’s vitality infrastructure amid the peace efforts and indicated that a part of his motivation was to take care of stress on Russia, together with sanctions and protection know-how for Ukraine.
“These are a number of the most lively diplomatic days of the yr proper now, and loads could be determined earlier than the New Yr,” Zelenskyy stated on social media platform X. “We’re doing all the pieces towards this, however whether or not selections can be made is determined by our companions — those that assist Ukraine, and people who put stress on Russia in order that Russians really feel the results of their very own aggression.”
Earlier Sunday, a Kremlin official stated that the U.S. and Russian leaders had been aligned in opposing a brief ceasefire amid talks and hinted that Ukraine wanted to make a “daring resolution” relating to the Donbas area for the battle to finish.
“The primary factor is that the presidents of Russia and the US maintain related views that the choice of a brief ceasefire proposed by the Ukrainians and the Europeans below the pretext of getting ready for a referendum or below different pretexts solely results in a prolongation of the battle,” Yuri Ushakov, a Kremlin overseas coverage aide, instructed Reuters.
In his Fact Social publish, Trump stated his assembly with Zelenskyy could be held in the primary eating room at his Mar-a-Lago resort, with media current.
In February, a gathering between Trump and Zelenskyy over attainable mineral offers between the international locations devolved right into a public spectacle, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance accusing Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” to the U.S. president.
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