Trump Meets Zelenskyy Again, Says Putin Serious About Peace

President Donald Trump has said Russian President Vladimir Putin is serious about ending the war in Ukraine, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met him for high-level peace plan talks.

Trump made the remarks after holding a telephone conversation with Putin, just ahead of his meeting with Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said there were “the makings of a deal,” expressing optimism that both Russia and Ukraine want the nearly four-year conflict to end.

He insisted that Putin’s recent military actions did not contradict his commitment to peace, adding that “the people of Ukraine want it to end, and the people of Russia want it to end.”

Pressed on whether Putin was committed to peace despite the attacks, Trump said: “He’s very serious.”

Zelenskyy, who arrived at Mar-a-Lago earlier in the day, said he hoped the talks would “bring peace as quick as possible.”

According to him, discussions are focused on moving forward an updated version of a United States-brokered 20-point peace plan, which includes difficult issues such as territorial concessions, security guarantees and economic arrangements.

The proposed framework reportedly touches on the future of contested territories in eastern and southern Ukraine, the creation of demilitarised zones, and long-term security assurances for Ukraine.

Any territorial settlement, Ukrainian officials say, would require a referendum that would first necessitate a ceasefire.

However, Ukrainian officials argue that Russia is unwilling to agree to a ceasefire and continues to press for Ukraine to cede additional territory, particularly in the Donbas region. Russia has repeatedly rejected proposals for temporary truces, claiming they would only prolong the conflict.

From Russia’s perspective, Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said Trump largely shares Russia’s doubts about ceasefire proposals put forward by Ukraine and European allies.

Ushakov indicated that America and Russia have agreed to establish two working groups on Ukraine, covering security and economic issues, and confirmed that Trump and Putin are expected to speak again after the Trump–Zelenskyy meeting.

Meanwhile, fighting continues along the front lines, with Russia and Ukraine making claims over territorial gains in the east and south. Ukrainian officials say intensified attacks are aimed at weakening its negotiating position as diplomatic efforts gather pace.
Despite Trump’s confidence that talks are nearing their final stages, major issues remain, including the status of occupied territories, the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and Ukraine’s demand for firm Western security guarantees.