U.S. President Donald Trump appears 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 mentioned that he had a “productive” name with Russian chief Vladimir Putin in Trump’s newest try to finish the struggle between the 2 nations.
“I do consider that we’ve got the makings of a deal that’s good for Ukraine, good for everyone,” Trump mentioned after greeting Zelenskyy face-to-face briefly 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 mentioned he had a “good and really productive phone name” with Putin forward of the peace talks with Zelenskyy. Trump informed 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 struggle initiated when Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022.
Zelenskyy, who arrived in Florida early Sunday, has mentioned 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 informed reporters this week {that a} 20-point peace proposal is roughly 90% prepared, it is unclear if the end result of the peace talks can be acceptable to Putin. Chief obstacles to an settlement with Russia embrace 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 all the Donbas, even components which are nonetheless below Kyiv’s management.
On Saturday, Russia hit Ukraine’s capital and different components of the nation with a whole lot of missiles and drones, knocking out energy and warmth in components of the capital, based on 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 few of the most lively diplomatic days of the 12 months proper now, and lots may be determined earlier than the New Yr,” Zelenskyy mentioned on social media platform X. “We’re doing every little thing towards this, however whether or not choices shall be made depends upon 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 mentioned that the U.S. and Russian leaders had been aligned in opposing a short lived ceasefire amid talks and hinted that Ukraine wanted to make a “daring resolution” relating to the Donbas area for the struggle to finish.
“The primary factor is that the presidents of Russia and america maintain comparable views that the choice of a short lived 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, informed Reuters.
In his Fact Social publish, Trump mentioned his assembly with Zelenskyy can be held in the principle eating room at his Mar-a-Lago resort, with media current.
In February, a gathering between Trump and Zelenskyy over doable mineral offers between the nations devolved right into a public spectacle, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance accusing Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” to the U.S. president.
