Building on recent U.S.-Russia discussions, President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago on December 28, 2025, stating the two nations are 'closer than ever' to a peace deal despite ongoing Russian attacks. The leaders expressed optimism after Trump's earlier call with Putin, while outlining next steps including security guarantees and potential ceasefires.
The meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, occurred Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, following a two-and-a-half-hour 'friendly' phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump called Putin 'very serious' about ending the war, though he warned negotiations could still falter.
This built on prior U.S. efforts, including envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner's talks with Zelenskyy on Christmas Day and earlier Florida negotiations with Russia. Zelenskyy arrived with a nearly complete 20-point peace plan, featuring NATO-like U.S. security guarantees, a demilitarized zone along contested borders, and Ukrainian troop withdrawals from eastern areas if reciprocated by Russia—potentially via referendum.
Recent Russian aggression provided stark context: overnight bombs hit Sloviansk, killing one and injuring three; the prior day, Kyiv faced missiles and drones, killing one and wounding 27. Despite this, both leaders were upbeat. Post-meeting, they jointly called European leaders including Ursula von der Leyen and heads of Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, and Poland. Zelenskyy thanked Trump, declaring 'Ukraine is ready for peace,' while Trump praised him as 'brave.'
Russia, via Putin's adviser Yuri Ushakov, urged Kyiv to make 'bold' decisions on Donbas and other territories, where Moscow seeks recognition of control, army limits, and Ukraine's NATO waiver. Trump has signaled openness to some demands, like Donbas land cessions for economic incentives. Another Trump-Putin call is planned soon to address sticking points.
