President Donald J. Trump said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly before a scheduled in-person meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida, as diplomatic efforts continue amid the prolonged war.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald J. Trump said Sunday that he held a “good and very productive” telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, hours before his scheduled meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said the call with Putin took place ahead of his 1:00 p.m. meeting with Zelenskyy, which he said would be held in the main dining room of Mar-a-Lago and would be open to the press.
“I just had a good and very productive telephone call with President Putin of Russia prior to my meeting, at 1:00 P.M. today, with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine,” Trump wrote. “The meeting will take place in the main dining room of Mar-a-Lago. Press is invited. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The announcement comes as the war between Russia and Ukraine approaches its fourth year, with fighting ongoing since early 2022 and significant human and financial costs incurred during the conflict.
Zelenskyy arrived in Florida earlier in the day ahead of the meeting. Ukrainian officials have indicated that discussions are centered on a proposed 20-point peace framework, with approximately 90 percent of the plan agreed upon, while several key issues remain unresolved.
Russia currently occupies roughly 20 percent of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014, and parts of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region. The conflict has remained largely stalemated despite extensive international involvement.
During the Biden administration, the United States provided more than $150 billion in military, financial, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Trump has previously criticized that level of spending and argued that U.S. resources should instead prioritize domestic economic and border security concerns.
Trump has publicly advocated for a negotiated ceasefire, mutual troop withdrawals, and the creation of demilitarized zones in disputed regions such as Donbas. Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, have stated that any territorial concessions would require referendums and that Kyiv is seeking long-term security guarantees from the United States and European allies. Some proposals under discussion have included security arrangements modeled after NATO’s Article 5, which would require approval by the U.S. Senate.
Mar-a-Lago has served as a frequent venue for Trump’s diplomatic engagements, hosting numerous high-level meetings with foreign leaders during his presidencies. The meeting with Zelenskyy was scheduled for 1:00 p.m. local time in the resort’s main dining room, with press access permitted.
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