The high-profile meeting comes as Trump steps up diplomatic engagement with both Kyiv and Moscow, insisting that leaders on both sides are now serious about pursuing peace after nearly four years of fighting.
Speaking to reporters shortly before the closed-door talks, Trump said he had recently spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed optimism that a deal was within reach.
“I believe both sides want peace,” Trump said. “This is a very serious stage.”
Trump, who has repeatedly said he would have ended the war immediately if he were in office, explained that while there is no fixed deadline, the discussions are entering a critical phase.
He added that recent conversations with both Zelensky and Putin had been “very productive.”
The Florida meeting took place just hours after Russia launched another wave of drone and missile attacks on Kyiv, knocking out electricity and heating in parts of the city during freezing winter conditions.
The Florida meeting took place just hours after Russia launched another wave of drone and missile attacks on Kyiv, knocking out electricity and heating in parts of the city during freezing winter conditions.
The timing of the strikes has raised fresh doubts among European leaders about Moscow’s commitment to peace.
When asked whether the attacks undermined Putin’s credibility, Trump dismissed the concerns, saying conflicts often intensify before agreements are reached.
“He’s very serious,” Trump said of Putin.
When asked whether the attacks undermined Putin’s credibility, Trump dismissed the concerns, saying conflicts often intensify before agreements are reached.
“He’s very serious,” Trump said of Putin.
“Ukraine has also carried out strong actions. Sometimes, unfortunately, that happens before peace.”
Standing beside Trump as cameras rolled, President Zelensky struck a careful but hopeful tone, emphasizing the importance of coordination between their teams.
“It is very important that our teams speak clearly about strategy,” Zelensky said before the two leaders went inside for private talks with senior advisors.
Trump revealed that any emerging agreement would include strong security arrangements for Ukraine, with European countries playing a central role.
Standing beside Trump as cameras rolled, President Zelensky struck a careful but hopeful tone, emphasizing the importance of coordination between their teams.
“It is very important that our teams speak clearly about strategy,” Zelensky said before the two leaders went inside for private talks with senior advisors.
Trump revealed that any emerging agreement would include strong security arrangements for Ukraine, with European countries playing a central role.
He suggested that European allies could provide guarantees similar to those offered by NATO, aimed at preventing future Russian aggression.
“There will be a security agreement, and it will be strong,” Trump said.
“There will be a security agreement, and it will be strong,” Trump said.
“Europe will be very much involved.”
However, the Kremlin released a more cautious account of Trump’s phone call with Putin, warning that a simple ceasefire would only delay the conflict.
However, the Kremlin released a more cautious account of Trump’s phone call with Putin, warning that a simple ceasefire would only delay the conflict.
Moscow has continued to demand territorial concessions from Ukraine, particularly in eastern regions currently under Russian occupation.
A revised peace framework, developed after weeks of intense talks between US and Ukrainian officials, would freeze the conflict along current front lines.
A revised peace framework, developed after weeks of intense talks between US and Ukrainian officials, would freeze the conflict along current front lines.
The plan could require Ukraine to pull back some troops from the east to create demilitarized buffer zones.
While the proposal marks Kyiv’s clearest signal yet that territorial compromise may be considered, it does not include a full withdrawal from areas Ukraine still controls in the Donetsk region — a key demand from Russia.
Zelensky has shown increased openness to negotiation, but Putin has not publicly indicated he is ready to accept the proposed terms.
While the proposal marks Kyiv’s clearest signal yet that territorial compromise may be considered, it does not include a full withdrawal from areas Ukraine still controls in the Donetsk region — a key demand from Russia.
Zelensky has shown increased openness to negotiation, but Putin has not publicly indicated he is ready to accept the proposed terms.
On Saturday, the Russian leader warned that if Ukraine refused peaceful settlement, Moscow would pursue its objectives by military force.
Meanwhile, Russia announced fresh battlefield gains, claiming to have captured two additional towns in eastern Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia announced fresh battlefield gains, claiming to have captured two additional towns in eastern Ukraine.
0 Comments