Zelenskyy Heads to Florida for Trump Talks as Peace Agreement Takes Shape

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will journey to the United States this weekend for a Sunday meeting with President Donald Trump, as a comprehensive peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia continues to take shape. The Florida summit, widely expected at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, comes with negotiators reporting the framework is approximately 90% complete.
The Ukrainian president announced the meeting through social media, emphasizing the urgency of diplomatic preparations and stating that his team is not losing any time. Zelenskyy told journalists that discussions with Trump would address the most sensitive elements of peace arrangements, including security guarantees for Ukraine, reconstruction planning, and territorial issues related to the Donbas region and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. He expressed optimism that significant decisions could be made before year’s end.
The peace proposal under consideration evolved from a 28-point document developed through consultations between US envoys and Russian officials. Critics initially viewed that framework as skewed toward Russian positions, leading Ukraine to advocate for substantial modifications including robust security guarantees modeled on NATO’s Article 5 collective defense commitments. However, considerable uncertainty persists about Moscow’s receptiveness to such provisions, with Zelenskyy observing that Russian negotiators consistently “look for reasons not to agree” to peace proposals.
President Trump offered measured remarks about the upcoming summit, describing his expectations as “good” while declining to commit to supporting any particular proposals. The American president emphasized his central role in the peace process, stating bluntly that Zelenskyy “doesn’t have anything until I approve it.” Trump also indicated he expected to speak with Putin soon, maintaining direct communication with the Russian leader as negotiations progress. Recent diplomatic activity included weekend meetings in Miami where Trump’s envoy held separate discussions with Russian and Ukrainian representatives.
The diplomatic effort unfolds amid ongoing military operations and complex battlefield dynamics. Kyiv experienced powerful explosions early Saturday as air defenses engaged missiles and drones targeting multiple regions, underscoring the conflict’s persistent intensity. In a significant military development, Ukrainian forces recently recaptured Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region, contradicting earlier Russian military claims about controlling the city. This discrepancy triggered criticism from prominent Russian military bloggers with defense ministry connections, who accused officials of systematically providing false battlefield reports. As Putin reportedly reiterates maximalist demands while hinting at possible limited territorial exchanges, the path toward a negotiated settlement continues to face substantial challenges despite diplomatic progress.