Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida this Sunday. The focus of their discussions will revolve around advancing a 20-point U.S.-brokered peace plan aimed at ending the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Zelensky-Trump Meeting Highlights
Zelensky announced the meeting in light of ongoing negotiations to halt Russia’s large-scale military campaign. He mentioned that U.S. security guarantees will also be a significant part of their agenda. Both leaders have expressed optimism regarding potential breakthroughs during these talks.
Recent Developments in Peace Talks
- Zelensky recently spoke with Trump’s chief negotiators, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
- The conversation took place on Christmas Day and yielded new ideas on how to resolve the conflict.
- The White House has proposed a demilitarized zone in eastern Ukraine, reducing troop deployments from both sides.
Current State of the Conflict
Despite the ongoing talks, fighting continues along the front lines in Ukraine. Authorities reported at least four fatalities due to recent air strikes, alongside successful drone interceptions by Ukraine’s military.
Key Topics for Discussion
During the upcoming meeting, Zelensky plans to address several critical matters:
- The creation of a free economic zone in parts of Donbas.
- Adjustments to a prior 28-point draft, which has been criticized for favoring Russian interests.
- The future management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant currently under Russian control.
Security Guarantees and Military Presence
Under the proposed peace framework, Ukraine would maintain a military size of 800,000 personnel. The talks aim to secure commitments similar to NATO’s Article 5, ensuring mutual defense support in case of renewed aggression from Russia.
As negotiations progress, the Kremlin has asserted its intention to continue dialogues with U.S. officials. Reports indicate that improvements have been achieved, although significant territorial disputes remain challenging to resolve.
Zelensky remains hopeful that meaningful agreements can be reached ahead of the new year, with the planned meeting with Trump seen as a pivotal moment in the peace process.
