In a high-stakes diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump is preparing to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a pivotal meeting at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, this Sunday. The talks, scheduled for 1 PM as announced by the White House, aim to advance efforts towards ending the nearly four-year-long war triggered by Russia's invasion.
Escalating Violence and Diplomatic Push
The summit occurs against a grim backdrop of intensified Russian aggression. Just a day before the meeting, President Zelenskyy reported on social media platform X that Russia launched a massive assault using almost 500 drones and 40 missiles, causing significant damage in Kyiv. He condemned Moscow's actions, stating that Russia had rejected proposals for a Christmas ceasefire and was increasing the ferocity of its strikes.
"Russia continues to mock our cities and people," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. "This is a clear signal of how they really feel about diplomacy… Therefore, Ukraine needs sufficient support. And sufficient pressure needs to be put on Russia." He emphasized that while Ukraine is doing everything possible to end the conflict, final decisions hinge on support from international partners.
The Agenda: A 90%-Ready Peace Deal and Sticking Points
Central to the discussions will be Zelenskyy's "20-point peace deal proposal," which the Ukrainian leader has indicated is "about 90% ready." Negotiators are hopeful that major decisions can be reached soon. The agenda is packed with critical issues, including:
- Security guarantees: Zelenskyy has identified these as a top priority, directly dependent on what the US is prepared to offer.
- Territorial issues: The status of Russian-occupied areas and the fate of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
- An economic agreement and funding for Ukraine's massive reconstruction.
- Technical matters like monitoring mechanisms for any potential peace.
However, the path to agreement is fraught with challenges. President Trump recently remarked to Politico that while he expected a "good" meeting, "He doesn't have anything until I approve it. So we'll see what he's got," highlighting underlying tensions. Trump's previous suggestion that both sides should "stop at the battle line"—effectively allowing Russia to keep captured territory—has also raised concerns in Kyiv.
International Support and Pressure on Moscow
As the leaders prepare to meet, Ukraine continues to rally global backing. During a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Halifax, Zelenskyy stressed that "pressure on Russia and sufficient, strong support for Ukraine" remain the keys to peace. Canada responded by announcing new economic assistance worth C$2.5 billion (approximately US$1.8 billion).
Prime Minister Carney denounced Russia's latest strikes as "barbarism" and expressed hope that both Trump and Zelenskyy are working to create conditions for a "just and lasting peace." Zelenskyy, in his posts, appealed for unity, stating, "If the whole world — Europe and America — is on our side, together we will stop" Putin.
This meeting represents another attempt by President Trump, who has sought a mediator role since his return to office, to broker a breakthrough. A previous high-level talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska ended without progress. With Russia escalating attacks and Ukraine demanding robust security assurances, the world will be watching to see if the Mar-a-Lago summit can produce tangible steps towards ending Europe's largest conflict in decades.
