Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Friday that he will hold a crucial meeting with US President Donald Trump in Florida this weekend. The high-stakes talks are part of a sustained diplomatic push by Washington to find a resolution to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
Focus on Security and a 20-Point Peace Framework
Speaking to reporters, President Zelenskyy revealed that the discussions scheduled for Sunday will primarily centre on establishing concrete security guarantees for Ukraine. He provided a significant update on the negotiation process, stating that diplomats are nearing the completion of a proposed 20-point peace framework. According to Zelenskyy, the document is currently "about 90% ready."
This announcement followed what the Ukrainian leader described as a "good conversation" on Thursday with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who is President Trump's son-in-law. The upcoming talks in Florida represent a key moment in the broad international initiative, led by the United States, to halt Russia's full-scale invasion that began on February 24, 2022.
Key Sticking Points and Conflicting Demands
Despite reported progress, reaching a final agreement remains challenging due to fundamental disagreements between Kyiv and Moscow. Earlier this week, Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine might consider withdrawing its forces from sections of the eastern industrial region if Russia reciprocates. His proposal envisions transforming the area into a demilitarised zone monitored by international observers.
However, Moscow has not shown acceptance of this plan. The Kremlin maintains its core demand: that Ukraine surrenders all territory it still controls in the Donbas region. This is a condition Kyiv has firmly rejected. Currently, Russian forces occupy most of Luhansk and approximately 70% of Donetsk, the two oblasts that constitute the Donbas.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on Thursday that negotiations were demonstrating "slow but steady progress," yet Russia continues to insist on its own terms. Separately, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Friday that contacts between Russian and US officials are continuing. This follows a recent meeting in Florida between Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev and US representatives. "It was agreed upon to continue the dialogue," Peskov stated.
The Path Forward for Diplomacy
The meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump underscores the intense diplomatic activity surrounding the conflict. While the 20-point plan is in an advanced stage, the conflicting positions on the status of the Donbas region present a major hurdle. The international community is closely watching whether these high-level discussions can bridge the gap and create a viable path to end the war, which has caused widespread devastation and a global crisis.
