Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with former U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida to discuss critical issues surrounding security guarantees, economic cooperation, and ongoing territorial disputes. This meeting occurred in the backdrop of intensified Russian attacks, including strikes on Ukrainian cities that have resulted in casualties.
Zelenskyy arrived in Florida on December 18, 2025, and emphasized that the discussions would focus on the current security situation in Ukraine, particularly in the eastern Donbas region, where tensions remain high. Local authorities reported a recent wave of Russian strikes, including guided aerial bombs that hit residential areas in the city of Sloviansk, resulting in one death and three injuries. This attack followed a major strike on Kyiv that killed at least one person and injured 27 others, according to Ukrainian officials.
In the lead-up to the meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy engaged in conversations with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer about battlefield conditions and the implications of the recent escalation in violence. He also met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who announced additional financial assistance aimed at supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts while condemning Russia’s recent actions.
Zelenskyy has asserted that “Ukraine is ready to do whatever it takes to stop this war,” highlighting the necessity for robust international support during negotiations. He indicated that a proposed 20-point peace framework is nearly complete, with approximately 90% finalized. This proposal suggests that the United States would offer Ukraine security guarantees akin to those extended to NATO members. Zelenskyy has hinted that he could reconsider Ukraine’s NATO aspirations in exchange for these protections.
Trump has expressed a commitment to ending the conflict and acknowledges the complexities involved in securing a peace agreement. He has proposed a strategy to halt fighting along current battle lines, a suggestion that could allow Russia to maintain control over territory it has occupied. The Kremlin has called for international recognition of its claims to territories, including Crimea, and insists that Ukraine must abandon its NATO ambitions, demands that Kyiv has firmly rejected.
Officials from Russia have stated that discussions with Washington are ongoing but cautioned that reaching an agreement may take time. As Zelenskyy and Trump prepare for their discussions, the international community watches closely, hoping for a breakthrough that could signal a path towards lasting peace in the region.
