LONDON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday advised that U.S. President Donald Trump ought to go to Ukraine, amid the newest U.S.-led push for a peace deal to finish Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor.
“He talks about advocating a plan to finish the conflict,” Zelenskyy stated of Trump, answering questions in a bunch WhatsApp chat with reporters.
“I advised him that we’d be glad to see him. It is rather helpful for Ukraine. If U.S. President Trump flies to Ukraine, and it’s fascinating that he flies by aircraft to not Poland, however to Ukraine, then this can point out that we undoubtedly have the chance to rely on a ceasefire,” Zelenskyy stated.
Earlier this week, Trump advised reporters that the negotiating groups are “getting so much nearer, possibly very shut” to attaining a peace deal to finish Moscow’s invasion, which has been ongoing since February 2022.
U.S. President Donald Trump greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago membership, on Dec. 28, 2025, in Palm Seashore, Florida.
Alex Brandon/AP
Zelenskyy traveled to Florida to satisfy with Trump on Sunday and talk about a 20-point plan that he described as a doable basis for the top of the conflict. Trump additionally spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by telephone earlier than and after assembly Zelenskyy, the White Home stated.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is discussing the potential of an American troop presence as a part of a settlement, and as a part of the post-war safety ensures Kyiv says it wants to forestall a repeat Russian assault.
“These are U.S. troops and that’s the reason it’s America that makes such selections,” Zelenskyy stated. “After all, we’re discussing this with President Trump and with representatives of the ‘Coalition of the Keen.'”
“We wish this. This could be a robust place in safety ensures,” Zelenskyy added.
Zelenskyy additionally denied Russian stories of a rift between the U.S. and Ukraine. On Monday, Moscow accused Kyiv — with out offering any supporting proof — of launching a drone assault on Putin’s residence within the Novgorod area.
After talking with Putin by telephone in regards to the alleged assault, Trump stated he was “very offended,” although additionally acknowledged that it might not have occurred.
“Regardless of all of the media accusations of the Russians in regards to the breakdown of our talks with the People, we’re working on daily basis,” Zelenskyy advised reporters.
The Ukrainian president stated there had been “a number of calls” on Tuesday between Rustem Umerov — the secretary of Ukraine’s Nationwide Safety and Defence Council and a key negotiator — and American representatives, amongst them presidential envoy Steve Witkoff. “We’re discussing our subsequent steps,” Zelenskyy stated.
Zelenskyy additionally posted to social media on Tuesday previewing a gathering of nationwide safety advisers of the principally European “Coalition of the Keen” nations in Ukraine on Jan. 3, which is predicted to be adopted by a gathering of nationwide leaders in France on Jan. 6.
Trump’s predecessor, President Joe Biden, made in February 2023 a shock journey to Kyiv, the place he met with Zelenskyy previous to the primary anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Biden flew into Poland and undertook a 10-hour prepare journey to get to the Ukrainian capital, senior administration officers stated on the time.
Each Russia and Ukraine continued their change of long-range drone strikes in a single day.
Smoke rises from an house constructing broken throughout an in a single day Russian drone strike in Odesa, Ukraine, on Dec. 31, 2025.
State Emergency Service Of Ukrai/by way of Reuters
Ukraine’s air power stated Russia launched 127 drones into the nation in a single day into Wednesday morning, of which 101 had been shot down or suppressed. Twenty drones impacted throughout 11 areas, the air power stated.
The southern port metropolis of Odesa was among the many targets of the newest in a single day barrage, officers stated.
Odesa Gov. Oleh Kiper stated in a publish to Telegram that at the least six folks had been injured by Russian drone strikes, amongst them three kids. One grownup was hospitalized and is in a vital situation, Kiper stated.
“In whole, 4 multi-apartment residential buildings, at the least 14 automobiles and personal garages had been broken,” Kiper stated.
“These assaults are one other indication of the terrorist techniques of the enemy, who intentionally assaults the civilian infrastructure of peaceable cities within the Odesa area, threatening the lives and well being of individuals,” the governor added.
Kiper additionally reported at the least two contemporary strikes on Ukrainian power infrastructure within the Odesa area. “General, throughout December, 10 substations in Odessa and the area had been broken because of enemy shelling,” he wrote. “For the reason that starting of the yr, Russia has attacked 25 power services within the area.”
“The injury is critical and the restore work will take time,” Kiper stated.
Russia’s Protection Ministry, in the meantime, stated its forces shot down 86 Ukrainian drones in a single day into Wednesday morning, of which 56 had been reportedly downed over the Black Sea.
Rosaviatsiya — Russia’s federal air transport company — reported short-term flight restrictions at airports within the southern Russian cities of Gelenjik and Krasnodar, in addition to in Ivanovo and Yaroslavl which each sit northeast of Moscow.
ABC Information’ Natalya Kushnir and Othon Leyva contributed to this report.
