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President Trump has declared he will have the final say on any peace deal to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares to present a new peace proposal during their meeting in Florida this Sunday.
“He doesn’t have anything until I approve it,” Trump told Politico on Friday, referring to Zelenskyy’s upcoming peace plan. “So we’ll see what he’s got.”
Zelenskyy confirmed to reporters on Friday that he would share a 20-point peace proposal with Trump during their meeting. The Ukrainian leader indicated that the discussion would likely focus on security guarantees for Ukraine, though he was uncertain whether “territorial issues will be discussed.”
“The 20-point plan that we worked on is 90% ready. Our task is to make sure that everything is 100% ready,” Zelenskyy explained. “It is not easy, and no one says that it will be 100% right away, but nevertheless we must bring the desired result closer with each such meeting, each such conversation.”
The meeting represents a significant diplomatic development in efforts to end the conflict that has raged since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The war has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties, displaced millions of Ukrainians, and reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe.
Trump expressed optimism about the upcoming discussions, telling Politico: “I think it’s going to go good with him. I think it’s going to go good with Putin.” The president also indicated he expects to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin “soon,” suggesting a potential acceleration in peace negotiations.
This upcoming meeting marks a shift from Trump’s November statement when he said he would not meet with either Zelenskyy or Putin unless a deal to end the war was in its final stages. The change in stance indicates potential progress in behind-the-scenes negotiations.
Zelenskyy highlighted recent diplomatic momentum, noting he had “a very good conversation” with Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff on Thursday. According to the Ukrainian president, those talks specifically focused on ending the war and ensuring lasting peace in the region.
The administration’s diplomatic efforts come amid growing international concern about the conflict’s prolonged nature and its broader implications for European security and the global economy. Nearly three years into the war, both sides have struggled to make decisive battlefield gains, leading to what many military analysts describe as a costly stalemate.
One of the most contentious issues in any peace negotiation remains territorial control. Russia currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, and portions of eastern Ukraine seized since the 2022 invasion. Zelenskyy has consistently maintained that Ukraine cannot cede sovereign territory as part of any peace agreement.
Trump has met with Zelenskyy multiple times since taking office in January, including a February meeting where the two leaders reportedly had tense exchanges over diplomatic approaches to Russia. Trump also met with Putin in Alaska in August, a summit that sparked speculation about potential peace frameworks being discussed.
The White House has not officially confirmed Sunday’s meeting, having not responded to requests for comment from media outlets.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, international observers remain cautious about the prospects for a breakthrough, given the significant differences in the Ukrainian and Russian positions on key issues including territorial integrity, security guarantees, and Ukraine’s future relationship with NATO.
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8 Comments
The war in Ukraine has had devastating humanitarian consequences. I hope this meeting can pave the way for a just and lasting peace that addresses the needs and concerns of all affected communities.
Ensuring accountability for war crimes and human rights abuses should also be a key consideration in any peace negotiations.
This meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy could be pivotal in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. It will be interesting to see if they can reach a comprehensive peace deal, given the complexities involved.
Trump’s assertion that he’ll have the final say on any deal raises some concerns about the transparency and inclusiveness of the process.
Zelenskyy’s 20-point peace proposal sounds like a promising starting point, but as he notes, it’s not easy to get everything 100% right. Negotiations will require flexibility and compromise from all parties.
The discussion around security guarantees for Ukraine will be crucial. Ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity should be a key priority.
While Trump’s involvement in the peace process is significant, it’s important that the ultimate decision-making power rests with the Ukrainian government and its people. Their voices and interests must be central to any potential agreement.
This meeting represents a critical diplomatic opportunity to end the conflict. However, the path to peace will likely be complex and fraught with challenges. All parties must approach the negotiations in good faith and with a genuine commitment to compromise.