In a significant diplomatic move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced his plans to meet with US President Donald Trump this Sunday in Florida. The purpose of this high-level meeting is to discuss strategies for ending Russia's ongoing full-scale war against Ukraine. Zelensky expressed optimism about the talks, which will center around a US-brokered 20-point peace plan and potential proposals for US security guarantees.
Recent developments indicate that the Kremlin is also engaged in ongoing discussions, with Vladimir Putin's senior aide reportedly having further talks with US officials over the phone. Russia has characterized the negotiations as making slow but steady progress but has yet to respond to Zelensky's offer regarding troop withdrawals from the eastern Donbas region. Ukraine has emphasized the need for security guarantees from the US as part of any peace agreement.
During a press briefing, Zelensky revealed that the 20-point peace plan is currently 90% complete, stating, "Our task is to make sure everything is 100% ready." He emphasized the urgency of the negotiations, asserting, "We are not losing a single day," and highlighted the potential for significant decisions to be made before the end of the year.
While diplomatic efforts are underway, the conflict continues to take a toll on civilians. Reports indicate that a recent Russian air strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine's major northeastern city, resulted in two fatalities and several injuries. This incident underscores the grim reality on the ground as Zelensky and Trump prepare for their talks.
Zelensky and Trump have met multiple times this year, with their initial White House meeting in February resulting in a tense exchange. However, their most recent meeting in October was described as amicable. Following the announcement of the upcoming talks, Zelensky noted that he had engaged in a productive hour-long conversation on Christmas Day with Trump's chief negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He characterized this latest round of negotiations as a "really good conversation" that generated fresh ideas for ending the conflict.
The White House has suggested the establishment of a demilitarized zone in eastern Ukraine, where both Ukrainian and Russian forces would refrain from deploying troops. This proposed compromise aims to sidestep the contentious issue of legal ownership over the contested territory. Zelensky signaled that if Ukraine withdraws up to 40 kilometers (approximately 25 miles) from the front lines, Russia would need to reciprocate by pulling back from its occupied areas in Donbas.
Zelensky has indicated that the upcoming talks will focus on several critical documents, including US security guarantees and a separate economic agreement. Despite progress, he acknowledged that territorial disputes remain one of the most challenging issues to resolve, particularly concerning the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, currently under Russian control. The White House's proposal includes a plan for Ukraine and Russia to share the energy produced by this facility.
The Kremlin has expressed skepticism about some of the updated points in the US plan, especially regarding territorial arrangements. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Western European nations of attempting to undermine the diplomatic progress achieved thus far. Putin has insisted on full control of Donbas, encompassing 25% of the Donetsk region that remains outside Russian occupation.
Confirmation of continued negotiations was provided by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who noted that discussions between Russian and American delegations would proceed following recent meetings in Miami. Meanwhile, fighting persists in various regions, including Uman and Kharkiv, with Ukraine's air force reporting the downing of 73 drones overnight. In response, Russia claimed to have intercepted Ukrainian drones and missiles, further escalating the ongoing conflict.
As the world watches, the outcome of the upcoming talks between Zelensky and Trump could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Ukraine and its efforts to negotiate peace amidst ongoing hostilities.