US President Donald Trump is set to host Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for a critical discussion aimed at forging a peace agreement to end the nearly four-year-long war. The White House confirmed the meeting is scheduled for 1pm Eastern Standard Time.
Three Pillars for Peace
According to reports from the Washington Post, the leaders will focus their dialogue on three central issues. These are: increasing pressure on Russia, establishing long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, and securing international investment for the country's post-war reconstruction.
The high-stakes summit comes at a perilous moment, following a major Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, just one day prior. That assault resulted in at least one fatality and left 20 more people injured.
A Complex Path to Negotiations
The road to any peace deal remains fraught. Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently demonstrated little interest in entering substantive negotiations. Conversely, President Zelenskyy has repeatedly affirmed his nation's resolve, stating Ukraine is "willing to do whatever it takes to stop this war".
In a social media post on Saturday, Zelenskyy underscored that "priority number one – or the only priority – is ending the war." He argued that strength at the negotiating table depends on unwavering global support, specifically from Europe and the United States, and listed urgent needs for more air defences, weaponry, and financial aid.
President Trump, in comments to Politico published on Friday, expressed optimism about the meeting but asserted his pivotal role, noting "Zelenskyy doesn't have anything until I approve it." He added, "We'll see what he's got."
Building on Fragile Diplomacy
This encounter marks the sixth meeting between the two leaders this year, signalling a notable improvement in relations since a fiery and public disagreement in the Oval Office back on February 28. That initial meeting devolved into a heated argument, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticising perceived ingratitude from Kyiv.
Diplomatic momentum appears to be building. Trump's top negotiators have reportedly made progress in recent weeks, with both sides exchanging draft peace plans. Zelenskyy told reporters on Friday that a 20-point draft proposal is "about 90 percent ready," mirroring the optimism conveyed by US officials after talks in Berlin earlier this month.
In a related development, during a meeting in Halifax, Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced an additional $2.5 billion Canadian (approximately $1.8 billion USD) in economic assistance for Ukraine's reconstruction. Condemning Russia's "barbarism," Carney credited both Zelenskyy and Trump for working towards a "just and lasting peace" at this crucial juncture.
