Zelensky Meets Trump in Florida Amid Renewed Hopes and Relentless Attacks

The Post On Sunday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet former US President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida this Sunday, marking the latest diplomatic push to end nearly four years of war with Russia.

The two leaders will discuss an updated US-brokered peace plan that Moscow has yet to endorse, alongside separate proposals for American security guarantees to Ukraine. This meeting comes on the heels of a brutal weekend of Russian bombardment on Kyiv, underscoring the stark contrast between diplomatic efforts and ongoing conflict.

Over a harrowing ten-hour period on Friday night, Kyiv endured a relentless missile and drone attack that left two dead and 32 injured, according to local authorities. Strikes continued into Saturday night, severely damaging energy infrastructure and leaving 40% of residential buildings in the capital and surrounding districts without heating. The assault also damaged the apartment block of BBC journalist Anastasiya Gribanova, who survived the attack unharmed.

Despite these violent disruptions, Zelensky’s administration remains cautiously optimistic about the prospects of the peace plan, which is a revised and trimmed 20-point version of an earlier 28-point proposal originally drafted by US special envoy Steve Witkoff. The previous plan had drawn criticism for allegedly favoring Russian interests.

Key issues expected to dominate the discussions include security guarantees for Ukraine and territorial concessions, especially in the embattled eastern Donbas region. Currently, Moscow controls roughly 75% of Donetsk and nearly all of Luhansk provinces. Zelensky has floated the idea of establishing a “free economic zone” in Donbas, signaling a potential shift in Ukraine’s negotiating stance.

So far, the Kremlin has remained silent on Zelensky’s offer of reciprocal troop withdrawals from the eastern region. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin recently dismissed peace efforts, accusing Ukraine of being “in no hurry to resolve this conflict peacefully” and reaffirming Russia’s intention to achieve its goals militarily if diplomacy fails.

In a recent interview, Trump expressed cautious support for the updated peace plan but made it clear that it would require his approval before advancing. “I think it’s going to go good with him. I think it’s going to go good with [Putin],” Trump said, adding that he expected to speak with the Russian president soon.

Ahead of the Florida meeting, Zelensky also engaged in discussions with European leaders to align on diplomatic priorities. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that Kyiv retains “full support” from European and NATO allies, stressing the importance of strong, united positions moving forward.

Meanwhile, the weekend’s intense Russian strikes prompted heightened alertness in neighbouring Poland, which shares a long border with Ukraine. Warsaw deployed fighter jets and air defence systems, but later confirmed that its airspace had not been violated.

Ukraine’s military reported repelling numerous drone attacks in multiple regions, including near Moscow, with no casualties reported in the latest confrontations.

As the war grinds into its fourth year, Zelensky’s meeting with Trump represents a fragile but crucial diplomatic opportunity to end the devastating conflict that has reshaped global geopolitics and inflicted immense human suffering. Yet, with Moscow’s continued military aggression, the path to peace remains uncertain and fraught with challenges.

About The Author

Post On Sunday

See author's posts