In a significant development aimed at ending the prolonged conflict with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has announced plans for a high-stakes meeting with former US President Donald Trump. The meeting, expected to take place imminently, signals a push to finalise a comprehensive peace deal before the New Year.
Imminent Florida Summit for Peace Talks
President Zelenskiy revealed his intention to meet his American counterpart "in the coming days," expressing optimism about reaching a resolution to the war that has lasted almost four years. The Kyiv Post reported that Zelenskiy is expected to travel to Florida, where Trump is spending the Christmas break, as soon as Sunday. This information came from an unidentified source familiar with the arrangements.
Zelenskiy's announcement followed an update from Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's top negotiator with the US and head of the National Defense and Security Council. In a post on Telegram and X on Friday, Zelenskiy indicated that "a lot could be decided before the New Year," highlighting the critical timing of the diplomatic push.
Aligning on a 20-Point Peace Blueprint
The core agenda for the discussions is a detailed 20-point peace plan that Kyiv and Washington are working to align on before presenting it to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Key elements of this proposed plan include:
- Providing Ukraine with robust security guarantees modelled on NATO's Article 5 collective defence clause.
- A global post-war development programme to aid Ukraine's recovery.
While the allies have reportedly agreed on most items, several sensitive issues remain unresolved. A major sticking point is Ukraine's firm opposition to any territorial concessions in the eastern region of Donetsk.
Zelenskiy's confidence stems from recent diplomatic engagements. On Thursday, he held a "very good conversation" lasting nearly an hour with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner regarding the peace plan. In his nightly address, Zelenskiy acknowledged that work remains on delicate matters but stated, "together with the American team, we understand how to put all of this in place. The weeks ahead may also be intensive."
Kremlin's Stance and the Road Ahead
The ball is now partly in Russia's court. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media on Thursday that the information from talks held last weekend in Miami between Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev and US officials has been delivered to President Putin. The Kremlin is reviewing this information and will decide on further contacts with the US based on Putin's decision.
The planned Zelenskiy-Trump summit represents a pivotal moment in international diplomacy. Its outcome could set the course for either a negotiated settlement or a continuation of the devastating conflict, with global implications for security and the geopolitical order.
