Zelensky looks to close out Ukraine plan in meeting with Trump
 

On Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine traveled to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Donald Trump, seeking the American leader’s definitive endorsement of a new 20-point peace plan. This proposal, which is the result of weeks of intense negotiations between Washington and Kyiv, represents a significant shift in strategy, though it notably currently lacks the approval of the Kremlin.

The face-to-face meeting arrived at a moment of heightened tension, following a massive Russian aerial assault on Kyiv involving hundreds of missiles and drones. Zelensky pointed to these attacks as clear evidence that Vladimir Putin remains uninterested in a diplomatic resolution, framing the strikes as Russia’s violent response to Ukraine’s renewed peace efforts.

Central to the 20-point plan is a proposal to freeze the conflict along existing front lines. This represents Kyiv’s most direct admission yet that territorial concessions may be necessary to halt the fighting. The plan suggests the creation of demilitarized buffer zones, which would require both sides to pull back forces in certain sectors to prevent immediate skirmishes.

Despite these potential concessions, a major stalemate remains over the Donetsk region. Russia is demanding a complete Ukrainian withdrawal from the roughly 20% of the area that Kyiv still controls. Ukraine, however, has not agreed to this demand, and the 20-point plan does not currently include a provision for abandoning those specific territories held by Ukrainian forces.

On the diplomatic front, European leaders have voiced their continued support for Zelensky. Following a conference call with EU officials and the German Chancellor, Europe reiterated its commitment to Ukraine's security. Conversely, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized the European Union, labeling it the "main obstacle to peace" and accusing European politicians of preparing for an expanded war.

While Zelensky seeks long-term safety, Donald Trump has maintained a cautious stance on the specifics, previously remarking that the plan carries no weight until he personally approves it. Trump has made ending the war a cornerstone of his political identity, yet he has recently acknowledged that brokering a deal between Putin and Zelensky has proven to be a more difficult task than he initially anticipated.

The issue of security guarantees remains a high-priority topic for the Florida talks. Zelensky has insisted that any ceasefire must be accompanied by ironclad protections from the West to ensure that Russia does not simply use a pause in fighting to regroup for a future invasion. To bolster their defense in the interim, Canada recently pledged nearly $2 billion in economic assistance to aid in eventual reconstruction.

As negotiations continue in the quiet of Florida, the reality on the ground in Ukraine remains dire. The recent wave of strikes caused widespread power outages during freezing winter temperatures. Although energy has been largely restored in the capital, the ongoing bombardment of cities like Kherson serves as a stark reminder of the immense pressure facing negotiators as they attempt to finalize a deal in the coming weeks.