Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, in Florida today for key talks in the effort to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
This is the latest round of talks hoping to navigate an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. The pair are expected to meet at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida at 1 p.m. ET. Trump has been in Palm Beach since December 20 and is expected to remain there through January 4, 2025.
The Mar-a-Lago meeting is intended to close gaps in the 28-point peace plan that Trump first proposed last month and which Ukraine has since revised to 20 points.
American officials have described significant progress in the peace efforts, with a US official saying earlier this month that 90% of the terms of the deal had been settled.
Zelenskyy affirmed that figure Friday. The remaining 10% have proved difficult to resolve and include the thorny issue of land concessions that will be necessary to end the war.
Russia will not be represented at today’s meeting, and it remains unclear whether Moscow is willing to agree to an immediate ceasefire that would allow a peace plan to take hold.
Trump and Zelenskyy have had several meetings this year, most notably in February when the President berated his Ukrainian counterpart for supposedly not showing enough gratitude for the US’ support in the war with Russia. It was one of three meetings at the White House this year.
Ahead of his meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy stated in a post on Telegram that Ukraine is doing everything it can to end Russia’s war, but decisions on peace ultimately depend on the country’s allies.
“These are some of the most active diplomatic days of the year, and much can be decided before the New Year.
“We are doing everything we can to make this happen, but whether decisions will be made depends on our partners. It depends on those who help Ukraine and those who put pressure on Russia.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
He noted that, this week alone, Moscow had fired more than 2,100 drones, about 800 aerial bombs and 94 missiles at Ukraine.
In a post on X yesterday, Zelenskyy said that his country has supported Trump’s call for a ceasefire, adding, “If the whole world – Europe and America – is on our side, together we will stop (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.”
“If anyone – whether the US or Europe – is on Russia’s side, this means the war will continue. There are no other options here. And this is a risk for all countries in the world. Because Russia will not stop, regardless of any agreements, any eloquent messages from them. They will not stop at Ukraine.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy-Trump Meeting On Heels Of Massive Russian Attack
It comes after Moscow carried out the year’s longest sustained attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region overnight Friday into Saturday.
The assault on Kyiv and nearby communities lasted nearly 10 hours, killing at least two people and injuring 44 more, including two children, according to local authorities.
Oleksiy Kuleba, a senior Government Minister, said on social media, more than 40% of residential buildings in the Ukrainian capital were left without heating amid freezing temperatures.
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