Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed a high-stakes meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida this Sunday, marking a critical juncture in negotiations to end the full-scale war with Russia.
The meeting follows a Christmas Day call between Zelensky and U.S. negotiators, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, which reportedly generated "new ideas" for a resolution.
The discussions will center on a 20-point peace plan that Zelensky describes as 90% complete. A proposal for a "free economic zone" in Donbas, requiring both sides to withdraw troops up to 40km from the front line.
Provisions modeled on NATO’s Article 5, committing Western allies to military support if Russia re-invades. A White House proposal to split energy output from the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
Despite the diplomatic push, Moscow has expressed skepticism. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted that while December 25, 2025, served as a milestone for proximity to a solution, the U.S. plan remains "radically different" from Moscow's expectations. Russia continues to demand full control over the Donbas region.
The diplomatic movement comes amidst ongoing violence. On Friday, Russian air strikes in Kharkiv killed two people, and Ukraine reported shooting down 73 drones overnight. Zelensky emphasized the urgency of the talks, stating, "A lot can be decided before the new year."
