Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has launched a dramatic diplomatic push, aiming to end the war with Russia through direct negotiations with United States President Donald Trump. The leader hopes to secure a breakthrough peace deal before the New Year.
High-Stakes Trip to the 'Winter White House'
In a statement on his X account, Zelensky announced a last-minute trip to President Trump's Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, often called the 'Winter White House'. He stated that his chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, had reported on recent contacts with American officials, paving the way for the urgent summit.
"We are not losing a single day," Zelensky emphasised, adding "we have agreed on a meeting at the highest level – with President Trump in the near future." The Kiev Post reported that the Ukrainian president is expected to travel to Florida imminently for these critical talks.
A Potential Ceasefire and Peace Plan Referendum
Central to Zelensky's strategy is a new proposal revealed in a conversation with Axios. He indicated he would be willing to put his latest peace plan to a national referendum in Ukraine, but only if Russia first agrees to a substantial ceasefire. This truce would need to last for a minimum of 60 days to create the necessary conditions for a public vote.
The anticipated discussions at Mar-a-Lago are set to focus on the precise structure, timing, and substance of a potential ceasefire framework. This follows a marathon call Zelensky held on Christmas Day with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, which he described as an intensive discussion on halting the fighting.
Documents Prepared and a Race Against Time
After the Christmas call, Zelensky suggested significant progress had been made behind the scenes. "We have some new ideas," he said. "Some documents are already prepared. As I see it, they are nearly ready, and some documents are fully prepared." He stressed the urgency of the situation, noting that "a lot can be decided before the New Year."
President Trump, who has prioritised brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine since taking office in January, has no public events scheduled, according to reports. The White House has not yet commented on the specifics of the potential meeting. This diplomatic flurry represents a crucial test for international efforts to resolve the prolonged conflict.
