At a Glance
- President Trump will host Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago to finalize a peace agreement.
- Russia is intensifying attacks on Kyiv while Canada pledges $2.5 billion in aid.
- The 20-point draft plan is about 90 % ready, with U.S. offering NATO-style security guarantees.
- Why it matters: The meeting could end nearly four years of war and reshape Eastern European security.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump will welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. The two leaders aim to conclude a peace plan that would bring an end to the conflict sparked by Russia’s invasion.
Meeting at Mar-a-Lago
The meeting takes place while Trump is on holiday and spending his days golfing. Zelenskyy said they will discuss security, economic agreements, and territorial issues, especially over Donbas.
- Security guarantees similar to NATO
- Economic aid including $2.5 billion Canadian support
- Territorial disputes over the Donbas region
Zelenskyy stated:
> “Ukraine is willing to do whatever it takes to stop this war,”
> “We need to be strong at the negotiating table.”
> “We want peace, and Russia demonstrates a desire to continue the war. If the whole world – Europe and America – is on our side, together we will stop”
Carney credited both Zelenskyy and Trump with creating the conditions for a “just and lasting peace” at a crucial moment.
Draft Peace Plan Status
Zelenskyy told reporters Friday that the 20-point draft proposal negotiators have discussed is “about 90% ready” – echoing a figure, and the optimism, that U.S. officials conveyed when Trump’s chief negotiators met with Zelenskyy in Berlin earlier this month.
| Issue | Current Position | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guarantees | U.S. offers NATO-style protection | Finalize agreement |
| Economic Aid | $2.5 billion Canadian aid announced | Disbursement |
| Territorial Status | Donbas dispute | Negotiation in draft plan |
The U.S. agreed to offer certain security guarantees to Ukraine similar to those offered to other members of NATO. Zelenskyy said he was prepared to drop his country’s bid to join the security alliance if Ukraine received NATO-like protection that would be designed to safeguard it against future Russian attacks.
Russian Demands and Ukrainian Response
Putin wants all areas captured by Russian forces, including Crimea, to be recognized as Russian territory, and insists Ukraine abandon its NATO bid. He also demands Ukraine limit its army size and give official status to the Russian language.
- Recognize Crimea and captured territories
- Abandon NATO membership
- Limit army size
- Official Russian language status
Zelenskyy rejected all those demands but said he would be willing to withdraw troops from Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland if Russia also pulls back and the area becomes a demilitarized zone monitored by international forces.
International Support and Aid
Canada announced $2.5 billion in new aid to help Ukraine rebuild, while U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner discussed substantive details on Christmas Day. The Ukrainian leader said in a post on X that they discussed “certain substantive details of the ongoing work” and cautioned in a subsequent post that “there is still work to be done on sensitive issues” and “the weeks ahead may also be intensive.”
- $2.5 billion Canadian aid
- U.S. security guarantees
- NATO-like protection
Key Takeaways
- Trump and Zelenskyy’s meeting could finalize a peace deal that ends the war.
- The 20-point draft plan is almost ready and includes security guarantees.
- International aid, especially Canada’s $2.5 billion, supports the recovery.
The meeting at Mar-a-Lago marks a pivotal moment in the Ukraine conflict, with leaders working to seal a deal that could bring lasting peace.
