Trump's Mar-a-Lago meeting with Zelensky ends without agreement on how peace in Ukraine should look
President Volodymyr Zelensky shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida, at Trump’s Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, on Dec. 28, 2025. (President's Office)
President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Dec. 28, as the two leaders discussed the latest peace efforts to end Russia's nearly four-year full-scale war in Ukraine.
The meeting began at around 2 p.m. EST (9 p.m. Kyiv time) on Dec. 28, and took place at Trump’s Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago. The talks lasted for nearly two hours, ending around 4:15 p.m. EST (11:15 p.m. Kyiv time). Zelensky arrived in Miami a day prior.
Before the meeting started, Trump and Zelensky took a few questions from journalists.
Trump offered a vague outlook on talks over a revised 20-point peace plan, saying the war could "either end or drag on for a long time with many more casualties." He also said there was no deadline for reaching a peace deal and added that he believed both the Russian and Ukrainian leaders want an agreement.
Trump dismissed a question about security guarantees for Ukraine as "stupid," but went on to say a strong security agreement would be reached with significant involvement from European countries. He also claimed that Ukraine would see "great economic benefits" after a potential agreement is made.
When asked whether recent Russian attacks on Kyiv showed that Russian President Vladimir Putin was not serious about peace, Trump rejected the suggestion.
"No he’s very serious," Trump replied. He added that Ukraine had also carried out strong attacks, saying, "I believe Ukraine has made some very strong attacks also. And I don’t say that negatively. You probably have to."
"There have been some explosions in various parts of Russia," he added. "I don't think it came from the Congo. I don't think it came from the United States of America. It possibly came from Ukraine."
Trump said on Dec. 28 that he held a phone call with Putin ahead of his scheduled meeting with Zelensky.
"I just had a good and very productive phone call with President Putin of Russia prior to my meeting with President Zelensky of Ukraine," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
According to Trump, the call took place earlier in the morning, before the start of his official talks with the Ukrainian delegation. The U.S. president said he will call Putin again after completing the talks with Zelensky.
A source close to the Ukrainian delegation told the Kyiv Independent that they don't know how the meeting will unfold and are ready for "all scenarios."
Zelensky is accompanied by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, Economy Minister Oleksii Sobolev, Chief of Ukraine's General Staff Andrii Hnatov, First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya, and Oleksandr Bevz, President's Office non-staff advisor.
The two leaders spoke to reporters again following their meeting and described the talks as productive.
Zelensky noted that he appreciates the progress made by the U.S. and Ukrainian working teams towards a resolution with security guarantees key to achieving a lasting peace.
Meanwhile, Trump claimed that "Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed," speaking alongside Zelensky, adding that Putin is "working with Ukraine" to open the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
"It's a big step when he's not bombing that plant," Trump said, adding that he sees a trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky as a possibility.
"They're going to be helping. Russia is going to be helping," Trump said when asked if Moscow would hold any responsibility for Ukraine's reconstruction. "It sounds a little strange, but I was explaining to (Zelensky). President Putin was very generous in his feeling toward Ukraine succeeding, including supplying energy, electricity, and other things at very low prices."
When asked if the White House offered any promises or assurances to Europe, Trump replied, saying that "We're going to help Europe 100% like they'd help us."
In a Telegram post afterwards, Zelensky said that Trump had agreed to host Ukrainian and European leaders in January.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the talks and announced France would be hosting a separate "Coalition of the Willing" meeting in early January "to finalize each country's concrete contributions."
The coalition led by France and the U.K. has aimed to coordinate security guarantees and support for Kyiv among Ukraine's allies following a potential end to hostilities.
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.
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."
Before meeting Trump, Zelensky had a stopover in Canada to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and hold an online meeting with European and NATO leaders. During the visit, Carney announced additional economic aid to Ukraine amounting to $1.8 billion.
"A lot can be decided before the New Year," Zelensky wrote on X on Dec. 26, announcing his upcoming meeting with Trump amid a push for peace talks over the last two months.
The meeting comes a day after Russia’s devastating strikes, which injured dozens, and killed at least one. Russia launched nearly 500 drones and 40 missiles overnight on Dec. 26-27, largely targeting Kyiv’s energy and civilian infrastructure.
"Russian representatives are having long conversations, but in reality, the Kinzhals (missiles) and Shaheds (drones) are speaking for them. This is the real attitude of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and his entourage. They do not want to end the war," Zelensky said in a statement shared on his Telegram channel.
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