Zelensky, speaking to reporters on Friday, said the discussions may not yield an immediate agreement but emphasized the goal to "finalise as much as we can" before the New Year. He added on X (formerly Twitter), "A lot can be decided before the New Year. Glory to Ukraine!"
The Ukrainian leader is bringing a new 20-point peace plan to the table. The proposals include establishing a demilitarized zone and securing US-backed guarantees for Ukraine’s sovereignty. Zelensky described the plan as "90% ready" and indicated that he would discuss how Ukraine’s allies could contribute to enforcing and supporting the agreement. This plan is a streamlined version of a previous 28-point proposal initially drafted by the United States, which had drawn criticism from Ukraine’s allies for favoring Moscow.
Ahead of the meeting, Trump asserted that Zelensky "does not have anything" until he approves it, signaling the central role of US endorsement in any deal. Trump expressed confidence in productive discussions, potentially involving Russian President Vladimir Putin in subsequent negotiations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russian officials had engaged with the Trump administration on the proposals, but no official Kremlin response has yet been issued.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov criticized Zelensky, accusing him of attempting to "torpedo" the US-brokered deal and stressed that finalizing an agreement depends not only on Kyiv but also on the political will of other involved parties, including EU nations.
Sunday’s meeting underscores the pivotal role of the United States in Ukraine’s diplomatic strategy and highlights the delicate balance of international negotiations surrounding Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives since February 2022.
