As Ukraine continues to defend against russia’s ongoing invasion, a potential path toward peace negotiations is taking shape with a planned meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting, scheduled for Sunday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, comes as Zelenskyy signals a willingness to consider a U.S.-led peace plan-perhaps involving a referendum-while also seeking a more assertive U.S. stance on territorial concessions.The talks occur amidst criticism from Moscow regarding the updated peace proposal and highlight the complex diplomatic maneuvering underway as the conflict nears its third year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated a willingness to consider a Washington-led peace plan involving a referendum, provided Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire to allow Ukraine to prepare for and conduct such a vote. The statement, made to Axios, comes as Zelenskyy seeks stronger U.S. support regarding territorial concessions.
The potential shift in strategy comes ahead of a planned meeting Sunday between Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida, where the two are expected to discuss new proposals for peace. Trump, however, cautioned Zelenskyy on Friday that no assurances are guaranteed without his approval.
“The President of Ukraine doesn’t have anything until I give it to him,” Trump told Politico. “So we’ll see what he has.” He added that he believes “things will work out” with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that he would be speaking with Putin “very soon.”
Zelenskyy will travel to Florida on Sunday for the meeting with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
The Ukrainian President is seeking to address the unresolved issue of territory as part of negotiations to end the war with Russia. This development comes as international efforts to find a diplomatic solution continue.
The meeting follows the recent unveiling of a revised U.S. peace plan, updated after consultations with Ukraine. Moscow has criticized the new version of the plan, accusing Kyiv of attempting to derail negotiations.
The modified plan proposes freezing the current front lines without immediately resolving Russia’s demands, which include control over territory encompassing more than 19 percent of Ukraine. Russia is demanding Ukraine withdraw from parts of eastern Donetsk region that its forces have not yet captured, as part of its goal to control the entirety of the Donbas region, including the Donetsk and Luhansk areas.
Kyiv, conversely, is calling for a freeze on fighting along the existing front lines. In an attempt to find a compromise, the United States has suggested creating a free economic zone if Ukraine withdraws from the region, though the practical implementation of such a zone remains unclear.
