Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump on Sunday at Mar-a-Lago to discuss a revised 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Zelensky temporarily left missile-battered Kyiv for the talks, seeking Trump’s approval on the plan.
After more than three hours of discussion, neither leader announced a breakthrough. Both emphasized that the peace process is complex and will take additional time. Trump, who spoke by phone earlier with Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed a relatively sympathetic view toward Moscow’s positions but remained hopeful that progress is near.
“I do think we’re getting a lot closer, maybe very close,” Trump said after the meeting. He added that US, Ukrainian, and European teams would continue negotiations in the coming weeks, with further talks expected in Washington. Trump also said he would speak with Putin again before any agreement is finalized.
Trump emphasized that there is no set deadline for ending the Ukraine war. “It’ll either end or it’s going to go on for a long time, and millions of additional people are going to be killed,” he said. He acknowledged that previous promises to resolve the conflict quickly have proven more difficult than expected, partly due to challenges in leveraging a personal relationship with Putin.
Despite no formal agreement, Trump noted progress had been made over the past month. He cautioned, however, that only a few “thorny issues” remain unresolved, including the fate of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities and territorial concessions.
Though absent from the Florida meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s influence was evident. Trump spoke with him for over an hour before meeting Zelensky. Analysts note that prior instances, when Trump consulted Putin before discussions with Zelensky, have complicated US-Ukraine relations. This time, the meeting proceeded without conflict, though Trump acknowledged Putin’s role in controlling attacks on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
“President Putin is actually working with Ukraine on getting it open. It’s a big step when he’s not bombing that plant,” Trump said, adding that he believes Putin wants peace.
Zelensky said about 90% of the peace plan terms had been agreed upon. The remaining 10% involve key sticking points, such as territorial concessions and a potential referendum in Ukraine. Trump suggested that addressing these issues now could prevent further escalation by Russia.
Russia, which launched missile and drone attacks ahead of the meeting, has rejected ceasefire discussions. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Moscow believes a temporary truce would only prolong the conflict. Trump indicated that the leaders are nearing an understanding regarding Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, a critical area for negotiations.
Trump and Zelensky’s interactions have been closely watched since their first meeting in February. While past talks were tense, Sunday’s meeting was more cordial. Trump praised Zelensky and his people for their courage, while Zelensky expressed repeated gratitude, a notable shift from earlier exchanges during Trump’s term.
Mar-a-Lago provided a less formal setting than the White House, which Trump has previously used to strengthen personal relationships with global leaders, including Xi Jinping and the late Shinzo Abe. Zelensky appeared impressed by the estate, with Trump noting, “I don’t think he wants to go to the White House anymore.”
