Zelensky, Trump set to meet in Florida on Dec. 28 in high-level peace talks on Russia's war
Editor's note: This article has been updated with confirmation of the date President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet, as well as comments from President Zelensky to reporters on Dec. 26.
President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Dec. 28 as part of the latest peace efforts to end Russia's nearly four-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Zelensky told journalists on Dec. 26.
Zelensky earlier in the day said that Ukraine and the U.S. had agreed to meet "in the near future," suggesting there could be progress in peace talks to end Russia's war before the New Year.
"We are not losing a single day. We have agreed on a meeting at the highest level — with President Trump in the near future," Zelensky wrote on X on Dec. 26, following an update from Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s top envoy to U.S.-led peace talks and head of the National Defense and Security Council.
"A lot can be decided before the New Year," he said.
The meeting will take place in Florida, Zelensky told reporters on Dec. 26. Axios reporter Barak Ravid earlier wrote on X that the meeting would take place at Trump's Florida Mar-a-Lago residence.
In Zelensky's Dec. 26 comments to reporters, the president said that Ukraine and the U.S. plan to discuss security guarantees, economic cooperation, as well as "all issues on which there are disagreements," including Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, at the meeting in Florida.
Zelensky also said that the 20-point plan is 90% complete, and he views the meeting with Trump as an opportunity to ensure that everything is 100% ready.
"It is not easy, and no one is saying that it will be 100% ready right away. Nevertheless, we must use every meeting and every conversation to bring us closer to the desired result," he said.
When asked by reporters if there is any chance that Russia would agree to the proposal, Zelensky replied that he isn't considering that "right now" because "Russia is constantly looking for reasons not to agree."
"Ukraine shows its position, it is constructive. And if Russia does not agree, it means that the pressure is not enough. I also want to talk about this with the president of the United States," Zelensky added.
On whether Ukraine will hold elections during wartime, Zelensky said it is possible, but would require both legislative provisions and security measures.
"The partners have enough power to force Russia to provide adequate safety for holding presidential elections in Ukraine or conducting a referendum," Zelensky said.
He also added that Ukraine could hold a referendum to decide on "the most sensitive issues."
"It is fair that the fate of Ukraine is decided by the Ukrainian people," Zelensky said.
Zelensky the day before the meeting was announced held a nearly hour-long phone call with Trump's Special Envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to discuss "several substantive details" of the ongoing peace talks, the president said on Dec. 25.
"We are truly working 24/7 to bring the end of this brutal Russian war against Ukraine closer and to ensure that all documents and steps are realistic, effective, and reliable," Zelensky said on social media after the call.
"I hope that today's Christmas agreements and the ideas we discussed will prove useful," the president added without providing specifics on what was agreed upon.
In his evening address on Christmas Day, Zelensky said that "some documents are already prepared, as I see it, they are nearly ready, and some documents are fully prepared. Of course, there is still work to be done on sensitive issues."
After weeks of talks between Kyiv and Washington, Zelensky on Dec. 23 unveiled a draft of the revised peace plan to end Russia's full-scale war. The initial 28-point plan, which effectively pushed Ukraine toward capitulation, has been reworked into a 20-point framework.
In addition, a three-party security guarantee draft between Ukraine, the U.S., and Europe has been developed, as well as a bilateral security guarantee agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. Another document between Kyiv and Washington is focused on economic cooperation and was described as the "roadmap for Ukraine’s prosperity."
In his remarks to reporters on Dec. 26, Zelensky said it's important to find an opportunity to hold talks not only with the U.S., but also with Russia and European countries.
"Of course, the 20-point agreement cannot be signed without Russia and without the Europeans."
