Daijiworld Media Network - Florida
Florida, Dec 29: US President Donald Trump on Sunday welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, for crucial talks aimed at ending the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. The two leaders briefly addressed reporters outside the resort before heading into discussions on a fresh proposal to resolve the conflict.
Trump said diplomatic efforts to end the war had reached a decisive phase. “I think we’re in the final stages of talking, and we’re going to see. Otherwise, it’s going to go on for a long time,” he said, adding that no specific deadline had been set for the negotiations.
The US President revealed that he had held what he described as a “very good and productive” telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin just hours before meeting Zelensky. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Putin was “very serious” about achieving peace and that there would be further discussions following the Florida talks.
Trump also indicated that any potential peace deal would include strong security guarantees for Ukraine, with European countries expected to play a key role. “There will be a strong agreement to guarantee Ukraine’s security,” he said.
Meanwhile, Russia reiterated its demands ahead of the meeting. The Kremlin urged Ukraine to withdraw its forces from the eastern Donbas region, calling it a necessary step to end the conflict. Kremlin diplomatic adviser Yuri Ushakov said Kyiv should take a “brave decision” and pull out of the region without delay.
Ushakov, speaking after the call between Putin and Trump, said both leaders agreed that proposals for a temporary ceasefire would only prolong the conflict. He added that Moscow and Washington shared the view that a short-term truce would allow Ukraine to rearm and lead to renewed hostilities.
Russia has rejected any temporary halt to fighting, insisting instead on a comprehensive settlement that addresses what it describes as the root causes of the war, including Ukraine’s control over parts of the eastern Donetsk region in Donbas.
With direct engagement between Washington, Kyiv and Moscow intensifying, the Florida meeting is being seen as a potentially pivotal moment in efforts to bring the prolonged conflict to an end.