Donald Trump received the Ukrainian president this Sunday Volodymyr Zelensky at his residence Mar-a-Lago, Floridato discuss a peace plan that seeks to end the war started by Russia almost four years ago. The meeting took place hours after Trump maintained a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putinwhich he described as “good and very productive.”
In welcoming Zelensky, Trump sounded optimistic about the chances of reaching an agreement. “I think we have the elements for an agreement”declared the American president, adding that “we are going to achieve it.” For his part, Zelensky stated that he would discuss with Trump issues related to territorial concessions, an issue that until now had been a red line for Ukraine.
The conversation with Putin
According to Putin’s foreign policy advisor, Yuri Ushakov, the telephone conversation between Trump and the Russian president lasted more than an hour and 15 minutes, and was described as “friendly, cordial and business-like.” During the call, both leaders agreed that a temporary truce “would only prolong the conflict and risk the resumption of hostilities.”
Trump reportedly told Putin that “they have to make a deal. It has to be made. Too many people have died, and I think both presidents want to make a deal.” The US president added that he plans to speak with Putin again after his meeting with Zelensky.
According to Ushakov, Putin agreed to Trump’s proposal to establish “specially created working groups” dedicated to security and the economy to continue working on a peace agreement. The Kremlin adviser also noted that, “given the situation on the front lines,” Ukraine should soon decide what to do with the Donbas region, the key territory Putin is seeking.
The 20 point plan
Today’s meeting focuses on a 20 point peace plan which emerged from weeks of intense negotiations between the United States and Ukraine. This document is a revised version of an initial 28 point plan proposed by Trump in November, which was criticized by Ukraine’s allies for excessively favoring Moscow.
Zelensky declared on Friday that the plan is “90% ready”. However, Trump warned that “(Zelensky) has nothing until I approve it”making it clear that he will have the final say on any agreement.
Among the most controversial proposals is the possible creation of a demilitarized zone in parts of eastern Ukraine. Zelensky said this week that he would be willing to withdraw Ukrainian troops from the country’s eastern industrial heartland if Russia also withdraws and the area becomes a demilitarized zone monitored by international forces.
Security guarantees: kyiv’s priority
For Zelensky, security guarantees are essential. The Ukrainian president has insisted that without them, Ukraine cannot take any steps toward peace or hold presidential elections, something the Trump administration has pushed to implement.
“The most important thing is that security guarantees must be strong and that we are protected,” Zelensky declared before the meeting. Trump responded that “there will be a security agreement” and that “it will be a strong agreement.”
US officials described the guarantee package as “the platinum standard” of what Washington is willing to offer, similar to NATO Article 5. Trump is willing to take these US-backed assurances to Congress, according to a US official.
Russian attacks on the eve of the summit
The meeting took place in the middle of a Russia’s massive offensive against kyiv. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 519 drones and 40 missiles into Ukraine overnight Saturday, mainly targeting energy and civil infrastructure in the capital.
The attack, which lasted almost 10 hours, left at least two dead and 44 injured, including two children, according to local authorities. Zelensky described Putin as “a man of war” after the bombings, stating that the attacks showed that the Russian president does not want peace.
“We want peace. And Russia demonstrates the desire to continue the war. If the whole world, Europe and America, is on our side, together we will stop Putin,” Zelensky declared from Halifax, Canada, before traveling to Florida.
A complicated relationship
Today’s meeting is the fifth time that Zelensky has traveled to meet with Trump in the United States, and it occurs against a backdrop of Tense relations between both leaders. In February 2025, a White House meeting ended abruptly when Trump and Vice President JD Vance sharply criticized Zelensky, accusing him of standing in the way of a peace deal with Russia.
However, US officials expressed optimism about today’s meeting after a week of intensive efforts between US and Ukrainian negotiators.
Europeans describe the current dynamic between the United States and Ukraine as productive, although they acknowledge that the outcome of any meeting with Trump is unpredictable. “There is no low-risk scenario with Trump,” said a NATO official.
Coordination with Europe
Before traveling to Florida, Zelensky stopped in Canada to meet Prime Minister Mark Carney and hold an online meeting with European and NATO leaders. Canada pledged an additional $1.8 billion in economic aid to Ukraine.
European leaders agreed that security guarantees for Ukraine are crucial. “All participants in the discussions agreed that security guarantees for Ukraine are crucial,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared after the call. “These guarantees must be concrete and reliable. Such guarantees would also mean a safer Poland.”
According to Zelensky’s spokesman, the Ukrainian president and Trump will have a phone call with European leaders after their bilateral meeting.
The long road to peace
Trump promised during his election campaign end the war in “less than 24 hours”but their plans have encountered significant obstacles due to the stark differences between Washington’s proposals and the aspirations of Ukraine and its allies.
Russia’s position remains tough. Putin has demanded that Ukraine give up its ambition to join NATO and completely hand over the eastern regions of Donetsk and Lugansk. Moscow has also insisted that Ukraine recognize the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
Trump promises Zelensky that he will end the war between Russia and Ukraine if he becomes president
Trump said he believes “we’re in the final stages of the talks,” but warned: “Otherwise, it’s going to go on for a long time. It’s either going to end, or it’s going to go on for a long time and millions more people are going to die.”
The international community is closely awaiting the results of this summit, which could mark a turning point in the most devastating conflict in Europe since World War II.
