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- By Supratik Das
- Sun, 28 Dec 2025 10:57 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
US President Donald Trump is set to hold a high-stakes meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday in Florida, amid intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine and renewed global focus on ending the nearly four-year-old Russia-Ukraine war. The talks, scheduled at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, are being closely watched by Kyiv’s allies and Moscow alike.
Ahead of the meeting, Trump revealed that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a post on Truth Social, the US president said, “I just had a good and very productive telephone call with President Putin of Russia prior to my meeting, at 1:00 P.M. today, with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine.” The remark immediately drew global attention, underlining Trump’s attempt to position himself as a central mediator between the two warring sides.
Zelenskyy arrived in Florida earlier on Sunday, with discussions expected to centre on Ukraine’s proposed 20-point peace plan, security guarantees, and territorial issues. The White House said the meeting will take place at 1 pm local time, following which both leaders are expected to speak with European counterparts.
Background Of Florida talks
Themeeting comes against the backdrop of heavy Russian missile and drone strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Zelenskyy said Russia launched nearly 500 drones and around 40 missiles in recent days, rejecting even proposals for a temporary ceasefire. He described the attacks as a clear signal that Moscow remains unwilling to engage seriously in diplomacy.
Trump, now in his second term as US president, has positioned himself as a potential mediator in the conflict. However, earlier efforts, including talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, have failed to produce tangible results. Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to end the war quickly, even as critics accuse him of leaning closer to Russia’s position.
Tensions Ahead Of Meeting
Zelenskyy has said the 20-point peace plan, prepared with Ukrainian and US officials, is “about 90 per cent ready”. The proposal is understood to include discussions on demilitarised zones, security guarantees backed by Western partners, economic arrangements, and post-war reconstruction.
Territorial issues remain among the most sensitive points. Ukraine is expected to raise the status of Russian-occupied regions, including parts of Donbas, as well as the fate of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that matters involving territory and sovereignty are red lines and would require public consent through a referendum or legislative process.
Signs of strain between the two leaders were visible ahead of Sunday’s talks. Trump told US media that Zelenskyy “doesn’t have anything until I approve it”, underlining Washington’s leverage in shaping any final agreement. He has previously suggested freezing the conflict along current battle lines, a proposal Kyiv fears would legitimise Russian territorial gains.
Zelenskyy, meanwhile, has stressed that Ukraine is ready to do everything necessary to end the war but needs strong and lasting security guarantees. He said the outcome of the talks would depend largely on the level of support Ukraine’s partners are willing to provide.
Russia’s Warning And Global Response
Hours before the meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that if Kyiv does not seek peace, Russia would pursue its military objectives by force. Moscow also claimed advances along parts of the frontline, further raising tensions ahead of the Florida talks.
While Sunday’s meeting is unlikely to deliver an immediate breakthrough, it is seen as a crucial step in shaping the framework of any future peace deal. With fighting intensifying on the ground and diplomacy under pressure, expectations remain cautious as the world watches Florida for possible movement on Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.