Trump Hosts Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago for High-Stakes Peace Talks
Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday, welcoming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for critical negotiations to end nearly four years of the brutal Russia-Ukraine conflict.
20-Point Peace Plan on the Table
Zelensky arrived armed with a detailed 20-point peace proposal. The plan pushes for Western security guarantees, potential EU membership for Ukraine, and maintaining a military force of 800,000 soldiers funded by Western allies — a bold blueprint to secure Ukraine’s future.
Before the summit, Trump revealed he had a “very good and very productive” phone call with Vladimir Putin. “We’re in the final stages… It will either end or drag on, with millions more casualties. Nobody wants that,” Trump warned, underscoring the urgency of the talks.
Trump Claims Putin Ready to Strike a Ceasefire
Trump insists both leaders want peace. “There are too many dying, and I think both presidents want to make a deal,” he said. “We have the makings of a deal fit for Ukraine and everyone.”
Calling this the hardest conflict he’s ever tackled, Trump added, “I’ve settled eight wars; this is the toughest.” While he didn’t set a firm deadline, he promised the war would end “soon.”
Zelensky Puts Peace Front and Centre
Zelensky highlighted major hurdles: who controls Donbas and the fate of a Russian-held nuclear power plant. Writing on X, he stressed, “For us, the priority is peace. To be strong at the table, we need world support: Europe and the US.”
He also confirmed earlier talks with UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, where they reviewed recent Russian missile strikes and prepped for the Mar-a-Lago summit.
Missiles Hit Kyiv as Diplomatic Dance Begins
The peace talks kicked off amid ongoing violence. Just one day prior, Russian missiles struck Kyiv, killing one and injuring 20, the mayor reported.
Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney promised CA$2.5 billion ($1.8bn) in aid, condemning “Russian barbarism” and backing the peace efforts pushed by Zelensky and Trump.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov slammed Europe and the EU as “obstacles to peace” while praising Trump’s direct peace initiative.
Trump Flexes His Peacebroker Muscle
On Truth Social, Trump boasted about US-led peace deals, including a recent Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire, dismissing the UN’s role as “very little assistance” in Ukraine.
Speaking to Politico, Trump asserted, “Zelensky doesn’t have anything until I approve it. We’ll see what he’s got,” positioning himself as the key gatekeeper.
The Wall Street Journal revealed Trump’s team – including Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff – met Putin’s negotiator Kirill Dmitriev in Miami Beach. Discussions covered proposals to unlock $300 billion in frozen Russian assets for joint US-Russian projects and Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Trump’s vision? To “bring Russia’s $2 trillion economy in from the cold” and turbocharge US business once peace is secured.
Sixth Summit of 2025: Trump & Zelensky Still Talking
This marked the sixth meeting between Trump and Zelensky this year, following previous tensions in the Oval Office. Vice President JD Vance and Trump Jr. have criticised Zelensky for a lack of gratitude towards US aid, with Trump Jr. warning he “may walk away” if Kyiv refuses direct talks with Moscow.
Zelensky remains optimistic. The peace plan draft is “about 90 percent ready,” he said, echoing upbeat signs from US officials after Berlin negotiations.
Trump also hailed the recent Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire as a “momentary stop” to fighting — a hopeful glimpse of peace returning to conflict zones.
