Zelenskyy to Meet Trump in Florida This Weekend for Ukraine Security Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Friday that he is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida over the weekend, as diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia intensify.

Zelenskyy said the talks, expected to take place Sunday (December 28), will center on long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. He added that a proposed 20-point framework aimed at ending the conflict is nearing completion, estimating it is roughly 90% finalized. Discussions will also include a possible economic agreement, though Zelenskyy cautioned that it remains unclear whether any deal will be concluded during the meeting. Territorial questions will also be raised.

Ukraine, Zelenskyy said, wants European nations involved in future negotiations, though he acknowledged that including them on short notice may prove difficult. He emphasized the need for a broader format that brings together Ukraine, the United States, and European partners.

The upcoming meeting comes amid a renewed U.S.-led push to resolve the nearly four-year war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. However, talks continue to face major obstacles as Kyiv and Moscow maintain sharply opposing positions.

Zelenskyy’s announcement followed what he described as a positive conversation with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner earlier in the week. On the Russian side, Kremlin officials confirmed ongoing contact with U.S. representatives after Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev recently met American officials in Florida.

While Russia has signaled modest progress in diplomatic discussions, it has shown no willingness to withdraw from occupied territory. Moscow has instead demanded that Ukraine surrender the remaining areas it controls in the Donbas, a condition Kyiv has firmly rejected. Russia currently occupies most of Luhansk and a large portion of Donetsk.

Fighting continues across Ukraine. Officials reported civilian casualties from airstrikes and missile attacks in multiple regions, along with widespread damage to energy and port infrastructure caused by Russian drone strikes.

Ukraine also said it carried out a strike on a major Russian oil refinery in the Rostov region using long-range missiles supplied by the United Kingdom. Ukrainian officials said the attack caused multiple explosions, while Russian authorities reported injuries during firefighting efforts.

Ukraine’s strategy of targeting Russian energy facilities is aimed at reducing Moscow’s ability to finance the war, while Russian strikes on Ukraine’s power grid are intended to disrupt civilian life during winter months.

SOURCE: WHSV3