Ukrainian president seeks U.S. backing for controversial peace plan amid escalating Russian strikes and battlefield losses, as Europe reaffirms support and Moscow dismisses diplomatic efforts.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
PALM BEACH, Fla. — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday in a high-stakes bid to secure American approval for a new 20-point proposal aimed at ending the nearly four-year war with Russia. The face-to-face discussion, scheduled for 1:00 p.m. local time (1800 GMT), marks their first in-person encounter since October, when Trump rejected Zelensky’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles.
The meeting follows a devastating Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv, which Zelensky described as Moscow’s response to Ukraine’s peace efforts. “This attack is again Russia’s answer on our peace efforts,” he said during a stopover in Canada on Saturday. “And this really showed that Vladimir Putin doesn’t want peace.”
Zelensky’s proposal, crafted after weeks of U.S.-Ukraine negotiations, does not have Russia’s endorsement. The plan reportedly includes stopping the war along current front lines and potentially withdrawing Ukrainian troops from parts of the east to create demilitarized buffer zones. While it represents Kyiv’s most explicit acknowledgment yet of possible territorial concessions, it does not include a full withdrawal from the 20% of eastern Donetsk still under Ukrainian control—a key Russian demand.
Europe Stands Firm, Russia Dismisses Diplomacy
During a conference call with European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, Zelensky received assurances of continued support. Von der Leyen and Costa reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to Ukraine, vowing to maintain pressure on the Kremlin.
Russia, however, accused Ukraine and its Western backers of undermining previous peace initiatives. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told state news agency TASS that Europe had become “the main obstacle to peace,” adding, “They are making no secret of their plans to prepare for war with Russia.”
Putin, speaking on Saturday, warned that if Kyiv refuses a peaceful resolution, “we’ll resolve all the problems before us by military means.” His comments came as Russia announced the capture of two more towns in eastern Ukraine, Myrnograd and Guliaipole.
Trump’s Role as ‘President of Peace’ Under Scrutiny
Trump, who has positioned himself as a potential peacemaker in both the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts, has remained non-committal about Zelensky’s plan. “Zelensky doesn’t have anything until I approve it,” he told Politico on Friday.
The proposal’s success hinges on U.S. security guarantees, which Zelensky emphasized as critical. “Security guarantees must be simultaneous with the end of the war, because we must be confident that Russia will not start aggression again,” he told reporters in Canada. “We need strong security guarantees. We will discuss this and we will discuss the terms.”
The meeting also follows a massive Russian assault on Kyiv, where 500 drones and 40 missiles targeted the capital, knocking out power and heating for hundreds of thousands amid freezing temperatures. While electricity has since been restored, the attack underscored Ukraine’s urgent need for continued military and economic support.
Canada Pledges Billions as Ukraine Pushes for More Aid
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced CAN$2.5 billion (US$1.82 billion) in new economic assistance for Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Zelensky, however, stressed the immediate need for additional drones and weapons to counter Russian advances.
As the Florida talks approach, the outcome could determine not only the trajectory of the war but also the future of U.S. and European involvement in Ukraine’s defense. With Moscow showing no signs of backing down and Kyiv facing mounting pressure on the battlefield, the stakes for Zelensky’s diplomatic gambit have never been higher.
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