Florida (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will meet US President Donald Trump in Florida to discuss a 20-point peace plan amid ongoing Russian attacks.
As reported by Andrea Shalal and Gram Slattery of Reuters, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and US President Donald Trump are set to meet in Florida on Sunday to outline a plan to halt the war, while territorial disputes and Russian attacks continue to pressure Kyiv.
How will Volodymyr Zelenskiy handle territorial disputes in upcoming talks with Donald Trump?
Ahead of talks with President Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv is committed to ending the war with Russia, though achieving peace depends on support from its allies.
He stated,
“These are some of the most active diplomatic days of the year, and much can be resolved before the New Year, and we are doing everything for this, but whether there will be decisions depends on the partners.”
The Ukrainian president called on Kyiv’s international partners to intensify pressure on Russia, saying it must confront the consequences of its own aggression.
Mr Zelenskyy and President Trump are set for diplomatic talks in Florida, their first in-person meeting since October at the US president’s Mar-a-Lago residence.
On Saturday, December 27, Russian missile and drone attacks hit Kyiv and other areas, disrupting electricity and heating, with President Zelenskiy calling the strikes a response to US-led peace initiatives.
During his Florida meeting with President Trump, Zelenskiy intends to discuss the fate of the Donbas region and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, among other issues.
The Ukrainian president and his team arrived in Florida, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsya.
In an interview with Axios, the Ukrainian president said he hopes to modify a US plan calling for Ukrainian forces to leave the Donbas, and if unsuccessful, the full 20-point plan should be put to a referendum.
US officials told Axios that President Zelenskiy’s willingness to hold a referendum signals he may accept territorial concessions, provided Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire to allow the vote.
Kyiv and Washington have reached an agreement on major issues, and Zelenskiy said earlier this week that the 20-point plan is nearly complete, though disputes remain over territorial concessions.
President Zelenskiy, recalling past challenging meetings with Trump, fears alongside European allies that the US president could abandon Ukraine, leaving Europe to provide aid after Russia captured 12–17 square km per day in 2025.
Mr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that he conducted a detailed telephone conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
He added,
“We discussed preparations for the meeting with President Trump, as well as all our contacts with European partners. I informed him on the situation on the frontline and on the consequences of Russian strikes.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who held talks with President Zelenskyy and other EU leaders on Saturday, said their goal remains a “just and lasting peace” that safeguards Ukraine’s sovereignty and strengthens its defense and security.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would continue its offensive if Kyiv does not seek a quick peace, as Russian forces steadily advanced and captured more territory.
On December 19, President Putin said a peace agreement should follow the conditions he outlined, including Ukraine withdrawing from Donbas, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, and formally abandoning its NATO membership ambitions.
What are the key points of Ukraine’s peace plan?
- Ukraine’s sovereignty will be reaffirmed.
- A full non-aggression agreement between Russia and Ukraine will be established.
- Ukraine will maintain its armed forces and receive strong security guarantees from NATO, the US, and Europe.
- Russia will legally formalize non-aggression toward Europe and Ukraine.
- Ukraine will become an EU member and gain economic and development support.
- Disputes over territory, including Donbas, will be resolved, with demilitarized and free economic zones.
- The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant will be jointly managed under agreed terms.
- A full ceasefire will take effect immediately once the agreement is finalized.
