Trump to Meet Zelensky in Florida as Ukraine Pushes New 20-Point Peace Plan

Washington, Dec 2025 : US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday in Palm Beach, Florida, as Kyiv advances a new 20-point peace plan aimed at ending Russia’s nearly four-year war in Ukraine. The White House announced the meeting on Friday, underscoring Washington’s central role in the ongoing US-mediated peace efforts.

Ahead of the Florida meeting, Trump positioned himself as the ultimate arbiter of any potential agreement between Ukraine and Russia. Speaking to POLITICO, the US president said, “He doesn’t have anything until I approve it. So we’ll see what he’s got,” signaling a cautious stance on Zelensky’s revised proposals.

Zelensky, meanwhile, emphasized that the meeting would focus on finalizing as much as possible, although he acknowledged that a concrete agreement could not be guaranteed. He said in remarks to reporters that the two sides would attempt to “finalise as much as we can,” while remaining realistic about the outcome. Expressing optimism on social media, Zelensky wrote on X that “a lot can be decided before the New Year.”

The Ukrainian leader’s 20-point plan, which has been developed jointly by Ukrainian and US officials, is reportedly 90 percent ready. The proposals are expected to cover the creation of a demilitarised zone, arrangements for US and allied security guarantees, and mechanisms for the future governance of contested regions. Sensitive topics, including the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the eastern Donbas region, remain key elements of discussion. Ukrainian officials described the plan as an attempt to demonstrate flexibility without conceding territory, proposing reciprocal Russian withdrawals from parts of Donetsk in exchange for demilitarization measures.

Trump expressed optimism about the discussions and indicated openness to engaging with Moscow, stating, “I think it’s going to go good with him. I think it’s going to go good with (Vladimir) Putin,” while noting that he expects to speak with the Russian president “soon, as much as I want.” He also highlighted Russia’s economic strain, remarking, “Their economy is in tough shape, very tough shape,” implying that the Kremlin may face domestic pressures to negotiate.

Zelensky has intensified diplomatic outreach in the lead-up to the Florida meeting, coordinating with NATO members and allies including Canada, Germany, Finland, Denmark, and Estonia. He stressed that “Ukraine has never been and will never be an obstacle to peace,” while working to secure international support for Kyiv’s security requirements.

The upcoming talks follow Zelensky’s recent engagements with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, which the Ukrainian president described as productive. These discussions are intended to refine positions and build consensus on Ukraine’s future security, as Kyiv navigates complex negotiations with Washington and Moscow.

Russia has not indicated any public willingness to accept the latest peace proposals. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that senior Russian officials, including Yuri Ushakov, had discussions with the Trump administration regarding the plan, but he provided no details on timing or outcomes.

Sunday’s high-stakes meeting between Trump and Zelensky is expected to focus on finalizing actionable steps, advancing diplomatic coordination, and attempting to create conditions for a ceasefire, even as significant challenges remain in securing Moscow’s cooperation.

Team Maverick