Zelenskyy to Meet Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago for Talks on Ending Ukraine War
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet former US President Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida for talks about ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. This will be their first in-person meeting since October, with the conference set for around 1:00 pm local time (18:00 GMT).
The discussions will focus on an updated US-brokered plan intended to end the conflict, although Russia has yet to support the proposal. Key topics expected to be addressed include the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and control over the Donbas region. The Donbas remains a major sticking point, with Moscow controlling approximately 75% of Donetsk and about 99% of Luhansk. Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly pressed for full control of eastern Donbas during a recent closed-door meeting with Russia’s business elite.
Ukraine maintains a firm stance rejecting territorial concessions and has proposed the creation of a 'free economic zone' as an alternative measure. However, Moscow demands Ukrainian withdrawal from the eastern Donbas as a condition for any deal.
Zelenskyy has emphasized that securing US security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression is a top priority. The talks follow intensified Russian attacks on Kyiv ahead of the meeting, including missiles and drone strikes. New attacks have also been reported across Ukraine, including in Kherson, where a woman was injured.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has persisted for nearly four years. This meeting follows Trump’s earlier refusal in October to provide Zelenskyy with long-range missiles.
