President Donald Trump has hosted Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago estate in a high-stakes bid to broker a peace agreement that could conclude nearly four years of brutal conflict with Russia.
Talks Proceed Amid Escalating Violence
The diplomatic push comes against a grim backdrop of intensified Russian assaults. On Saturday, ballistic missiles and drones struck Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, killing at least one person and injuring 27 others. Explosions reverberated across the city for hours during the attack.
In a separate incident overnight into Sunday, Russian guided aerial bombs hit private homes in the eastern city of Sloviansk. Local officials confirmed the attack resulted in one man dead and three other people wounded.
'He is Very Serious': Trump's Assessment of Putin
Greeting President Zelensky in Florida, Trump praised his guest's resilience, stating, "This gentleman has worked very hard, and is very brave, and his people are very brave." When questioned by reporters on whether recent Russian attacks indicated a lack of seriousness from the Kremlin, Trump offered a contrary view.
"No, he is very serious. I can say that I believe that Ukraine has launched some strong attacks also," Trump remarked. He added, "I think there have been explosions in various parts of Russia and I don't think they came from the Congo... It possibly came from Ukraine. I haven't asked yet."
Trump emphasised the mutual desire for an end to the fighting, stating, "We have two willing parties, two willing countries who want to see it end. The people of Ukraine and the people of Russia want it to end. The two leaders want it to end." He warned of the alternative, saying, "Otherwise, it's going to go on for a long time. And millions of additional people are going to be killed."
Zelensky's Hopes and Concessions
For his part, President Zelensky expressed hope that the discussions would "bring peace as quickly as possible." He revealed that the issue of territorial concessions would be on the table, a subject that has historically been a major red line for Ukraine. Zelensky noted that negotiators from both sides had "discussed how to move step by step and bring peace closer" and would continue these efforts during the face-to-face meeting.
President Trump indicated he would act swiftly following the talks, promising to update Russian President Vladimir Putin promptly. The meeting at Trump's private Palm Beach club, where he is spending the holidays, was described by Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, as a "friendly, benevolent, and businesslike" hour-long call initiated by the US side.
The world now watches to see if this direct dialogue at Mar-a-Lago can forge a path to a ceasefire, even as the war's violence shows no immediate sign of abating.
