{“title”:”Trump Meets Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago; Russian Attacks Continue”,”date”:”2024-05-02″,”author”:”[Your Name]”,”content”:”At a Glance
– Donald Trump meets Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago, saying both leaders want peace.
– Russia launches guided bombs in Sloviansk, killing one and injuring three.
– Trump plans a second call with Vladimir Putin after the meeting.
– Why it matters: The talks could influence a path to ceasefire amid escalating Russian attacks.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago, expressing optimism that both leaders seek an end to the conflict while Russia intensified attacks on Ukraine’s capital. The meeting followed a lengthy call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin and came amid a surge of Russian strikes, raising questions about the prospects for a negotiated settlement.
## Trump Meets Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago
Trump greeted Zelenskyy, praising his bravery and his people’s bravery. He said:
> \\”The two leaders want it to end.\\”
Donald Trump added:
> \\”This gentleman has worked very hard, and is very brave, and his people are very brave.\\”
Zelenskyy said he would discuss territorial concessions, a red line for Ukraine, and that his negotiators and Trump’s \\”have discussed how to move step by step and bring peace closer\\” and would continue to do so in the meeting.
– Trump says both leaders want peace
– Zelenskyy wants territorial concessions
– Negotiators discuss step-by-step approach
## Russia’s Escalating Attacks
Russia intensified its attacks on Kyiv days before the meeting. Guided bombs struck private homes in the eastern city of Sloviansk, killing one man and injuring three, according to the head of the local military administration, Vadym Lakh. He posted on Telegram:
> \\”Three people were injured and one man died.\\”
The strike came the day after Russia attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles and drones, killing at least one person and wounding 27, a day before planned talks between the leaders of Ukraine and the United States.
– Guided bombs: 3 injured, 1 death
– Ballistic missiles and drones: 1 killed, 27 wounded
– Attacks intensified just before the Mar-a-Lago talks
## Calls for Donbas Decision
Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, said the Trump-Putin call was initiated by the U.S. side, lasted over an hour, and was \\”friendly, benevolent, and businesslike.\\” He added that Trump and Putin agreed to speak again \\”promptly\\” after the meeting with Zelenskyy.
Ushakov warned that a \\”bold, responsible, political decision is needed from Kyiv\\” on the Donbas region and other disputed matters for a \\”complete cessation\\” of hostilities.
– Call was friendly and businesslike
– Next call agreed \\”promptly\\”
– Kyiv must make bold political decision on Donbas
## U.S. Negotiation Strategy
Trump said he would call Putin again and reach out to European leaders who he said \\”have been really great.\\” He tempered his optimism, saying:
> \\”It\\\’ll either end or it\\\’s going to go on for a long time and millions of additional people will be killed.\\”
Zelenskyy told reporters that the 20-point draft proposal negotiators have discussed is \\”about 90\\ % ready,\\” echoing a figure U.S. officials conveyed after Trump’s chief negotiators met with him in Berlin.
During recent talks, the U.S. offered security guarantees to Ukraine similar to those offered to other NATO members. Zelenskyy said he was prepared to drop Ukraine’s bid to join NATO if the country received NATO-like protection against future Russian attacks.
Zelenskyy also spoke on Christmas Day with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. He said they discussed \\”certain substantive details\\” and cautioned that \\”there is still work to be done on sensitive issues\\” and \\”the weeks ahead may also be intensive.\\”
– 20-point draft 90% ready
– U.S. offers NATO-like security guarantees
– Ukraine may drop NATO bid if protected
– Zelenskyy discussed details with Witkoff and Kushner
## Putin’s Demands and Ukraine’s Rejection
Putin wants all areas in four key regions captured by his forces, the Crimean Peninsula, and insists Ukraine withdraw from areas not captured by Russian forces. Kyiv publicly rejects all these demands. The Kremlin also wants Ukraine to abandon its bid to join NATO and warns that it would not accept deployment of any NATO troops, viewing them as a \\”legitimate target.\\” Putin also demands Ukraine limit its army size and give official status to the Russian language.
– All captured areas recognized as Russian territory
– Ukraine withdraw from uncaptured areas
– Abandon NATO bid
– Limit army size
– Official status for Russian language
## Key Takeaways
– Trump’s Mar-a-Lago talks with Zelenskyy signal a push for peace amid escalating Russian attacks.
– Russia’s guided bombs and missile strikes underscore the urgency of a ceasefire.
– A decisive political decision on the Donbas region is crucial for any lasting peace.
The meeting underscores Trump’s ongoing push to end the war, but the escalation of Russian attacks and the hard-line demands from both sides suggest a fragile path forward.”}
