At a Glance
- Trump will host Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago to finalize peace talks.
- Russia launched guided bombs in Sloviansk, killing one and injuring three.
- Ukraine’s draft 20-point peace plan is 90% ready, with NATO-style security guarantees on the table.
- Why it matters: The meeting could end almost four years of war and reshape Eastern Europe’s security landscape.
The Sunday meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago comes amid intensified Russian attacks and a nearly ready peace draft.
Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting
They will convene in the main dining room of Mar-a-Lago, with media permitted to cover the session.
Zelenskyy arrived in Miami that morning and will discuss security guarantees, economic agreements, and territorial issues over the Donbas region.
Key topics include:
- Security guarantees similar to NATO
- Economic aid packages
- Territorial disputes over Donbas
Russian Attacks Before the Summit
Russia intensified attacks days before the meeting.
Guided bombs struck private homes in Sloviansk, injuring three and killing one, according to military administrator Vadym Lakh on Telegram.
The attack followed a ballistic-missile and drone strike on Kyiv Saturday, killing at least one and wounding 27.
| Location | Date | Casualties | Attack Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sloviansk | Sunday | 1 dead, 3 injured | Guided bombs |
| Kyiv | Saturday | 1 dead, 27 wounded | Ballistic missiles & drones |
International Allies’ Support
Zelenskyy spoke with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the front-line situation and Russian strikes, thanking him on X.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced additional economic assistance in Halifax and credited both Zelenskyy and Trump for creating conditions for a just and lasting peace.
Negotiation Progress
The 20-point draft proposal is 90% ready.
The U.S. has offered NATO-style security guarantees, and Ukraine is prepared to drop its NATO bid if such protection is granted.
Zelenskyy also discussed substantive details with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Christmas Day, noting that weeks ahead may be intensive.
Russia’s Demands and Kremlin Stance
Putin wants all areas captured by Russian forces, including Crimea, recognized as Russian territory and insists Ukraine withdraw from some eastern areas not yet captured.
The Kremlin seeks Ukraine to abandon its NATO bid, warns against NATO troop deployment, and demands a limited army size and official status for the Russian language.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin had already been in contact with the U.S. and agreed to continue dialogue.
Foreign-affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov warned that a compromise could take a long time and that Russian police would remain in Donetsk even if it became demilitarized.
Key Takeaways
- The Mar-a-Lago summit could finalize a peace agreement after nearly four years of war.
- Ukraine’s 20-point plan is almost ready, with NATO-style security guarantees on the table.
- Russia’s demands for territorial gains and NATO withdrawal remain major sticking points.
The outcome of this meeting will shape the future of Ukraine and the broader security dynamics in Eastern Europe.
