Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy are set to meet on Sunday to discuss a plan to end the war in Ukraine. This comes as Russian attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities continue, and amid doubts that Moscow is willing to scale back its extensive demands.
Zelenskyy arrived in Florida with a Ukrainian delegation on Saturday night ahead of talks with the U.S. president at his Mar-a-Lago residence. The leaders are expected to discuss the latest version of a 20-point peace plan and the unresolved future of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region.
Vladimir Putin has demanded that Ukraine hand over territory in northern Donetsk that Russian forces have been unable to capture. Zelenskyy’s counter-proposal involves creating a demilitarized zone, with both sides pulling back from the line of contact. This plan could be put to a referendum, provided Moscow first agrees to a ceasefire lasting 60 to 90 days.
However, fundamental issues remain, including security guarantees to prevent Russia from attacking again. Trump has not committed militarily to defending Ukraine. The original 28-point U.S. plan, presented in November after talks with Russia, effectively demanded Ukraine’s surrender.
Speaking alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday, Zelenskyy described Putin’s latest large-scale air attack on Kyiv as “Russia’s answer to our peace efforts.” He told Carney, “We need two things: pressure on Russia and sufficient strong support for Ukraine.” The capital was hit by more than 500 drones and ballistic missiles over Friday night and Saturday, in a 12-hour assault that killed two people and left half a million without power. Carney called the bombardment “barbaric” and said a “willing Russia” was necessary to create conditions for a just and lasting peace.
Sunday’s talks carry high risks for Zelenskyy, with the potential for a diplomatic disaster always looming. In a recent interview, Ukraine’s leader said he “wasn’t afraid” of the unpredictable U.S. president because both have a democratic mandate.
In February, Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance sharply criticized Zelenskyy during a tense White House meeting. Later meetings have gone more smoothly, including at the Vatican in April and at the White House in October, when Zelenskyy was joined by European leaders like Keir Starmer.
Ukrainian officials have worked to mend relations with a White House seen as leaning toward Russia, while coordinating closely with European allies. Zelenskyy spoke with European leaders on Saturday and expects them to join Sunday’s talks with Trump via video link from Mar-a-Lago.
The Ukrainian delegation includes Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council; First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya; and Ukraine’s new ambassador to Washington, Olha Stefanishyna. Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner will represent the U.S. side.
Zelenskyy has described the meeting with Trump as a bilateral discussion focused mainly on U.S.-Ukraine issues. Key topics include security guarantees from the U.S. and Europe, the military situation, and a roadmap for implementing agreements. Zelenskyy indicated that the 20-point plan is 90% complete, with territorial issues still to be resolved.
On Sunday, Russia’s defense ministry announced that its forces had seized five settlements in eastern and southern Ukraine, including Myrnohrad near Pokrovsk and Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia region. This announcement ahead of the Florida talks seemed intended to signal to Trump that Russia’s victory in Donbas is inevitable.
Russian forces have been advancing but have also faced setbacks. In recent weeks, Ukraine’s defense forces have regained control over much of the territory.Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from the village of Synkivka in the Kharkiv region following infiltration by small Russian infantry groups. Ukraine has dismissed Moscow’s claims and stated that its defensive lines remain intact.
In an overnight drone attack, Ukraine’s military struck the Syzran oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region, with damage still being assessed. Meanwhile, Ukrainian police reported that three civilians were wounded by Russian drone and missile attacks in the Kharkiv region.
Few expected Sunday’s talks between Trump and Zelenskyy to yield a meaningful agreement. In a recent interview, Trump described the meeting as likely “good” but did not endorse Zelenskyy’s latest proposals, stating, “He doesn’t have anything until I approve it. So we’ll see what he’s got.”
With Trump showing no willingness to pressure Russia, observers anticipate the continuation of the nearly four-year full-scale war. Yuriy Boyechko, founder of the charity Hope for Ukraine, noted, “The fundamental flaw in the current diplomatic push is the absence of the aggressor at the negotiating table.” He added, “Peace is not achieved by one side agreeing to terms with a third party; it requires the principal belligerent, Vladimir Putin, to commit to a ceasefire and withdrawal. As long as Russia is actively launching its heaviest attacks in months, it is signalling that it has no intention of honouring a deal it did not sign.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the reported talks between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid intensified Russian airstrikes
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 Why is this meeting such a big deal
This is a big deal because Donald Trump is the presumptive Republican nominee for US President If he wins the election his policies on Ukraine could change dramatically The meeting is seen as a preview of what USUkraine relations might look like under a potential second Trump administration
2 What does Trump think about the war in Ukraine
Trump has been critical of US financial and military aid to Ukraine He has repeatedly claimed he could end the war in 24 hours through negotiation suggesting he would pressure both Ukraine and Russia to make a deal He has not publicly detailed the terms of such a deal
3 What does Zelenskyy hope to get from this talk
Zelenskyy aims to secure continued US support regardless of who wins the November election He wants to understand Trumps position firsthand advocate for Ukraines needs and try to ensure that US aid does not get cut off if Trump returns to office
4 What are these intensified Russian airstrikes we keep hearing about
Russia has recently increased longrange missile and drone attacks particularly targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure The goal is to cause widespread blackouts cripple the economy and break civilian morale as Ukraine faces shortages of air defense ammunition
Advanced Strategic Questions
5 How might this meeting affect current US aid to Ukraine
It could create political uncertainty Supporters of continued aid in Congress may feel urgency to pass funding packages before a potential policy shift Opponents of aid may feel emboldened to block further assistance anticipating a change if Trump wins
6 What is the main point of disagreement between Trumps and Bidens approaches
The core disagreement is on the end goal The Biden administrations policy is to help Ukraine win and restore its territorial integrity using aid as a tool to strengthen Ukraines position Trumps stated approach prioritizes a swift negotiated settlement even if that likely means Ukraine would have to concede some occupied territory
