US President Donald Trump has voiced a hopeful outlook regarding the potential for a peace agreement in Ukraine. This comes just before a scheduled meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Cautious Optimism from the Oval Office
In a phone conversation with The New York Post on Friday, President Trump shared his measured confidence. "Well, I think we have a good shot at it," he stated, referring to the prospects of brokering peace between Ukraine and Russia. However, he was quick to acknowledge the significant hurdles that have stalled negotiations so far.
Trump highlighted the core challenge, pointing to the often conflicting stances of the two warring nations. "I think they want to do it now, and I think that Russia wants to do it. But every time one wants to do it, the other doesn't," he explained. Drawing from his administration's diplomatic record, he added, "I settled eight wars, and this is the most difficult of them all. But I think we'll get it done."
Zelensky's New Proposal for Peace
President Zelensky is reportedly arriving at the Sunday meeting armed with a fresh peace blueprint. The new proposal is a 20-point plan, which is a refined version of an earlier 28-point draft. That initial draft was prepared in November by Trump's negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
A central feature of this proposed peace deal is the creation of a demilitarized 'free economic zone'. This concept aims to de-escalate military tensions while fostering economic cooperation. On the Russian side, President Vladimir Putin has not yet made any public comments on the latest proposal. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Friday that "it has been agreed to continue the dialogue."
Trump's Final Approval Pending
Despite his optimistic tone, President Trump has made it clear that Zelensky's plan requires his explicit endorsement. In a separate interview with Politico, Trump underscored his pivotal role, stating, "He doesn't have anything until I approve it. So we'll see what he's got." This statement sets the stage for a crucial discussion where the Ukrainian leader must convince his American counterpart of the plan's viability.
The upcoming meeting at Mar-a-Lago is therefore a critical juncture in the long-running conflict. The world will be watching to see if this high-stakes diplomacy can translate cautious optimism into a concrete roadmap for peace.
