Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed a Zelenskyy-Trump meeting will take place in Florida on Sunday. The bilateral talks represent a critical moment in Ukraine peace negotiations as both leaders discuss security guarantees and territorial disputes. The meeting was announced on 26 December 2025, signalling potential progress in ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
The White House confirmed the Zelenskyy-Trump meeting is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET on Sunday. Zelenskyy initially announced the meeting on X, stating it would happen in the “near future.” He later confirmed the specific timing through a WhatsApp chat with Ukrainian journalists, emphasising that much could be decided before the New Year.
Twenty-Point Peace Plan Nears Completion in Trump-Ukraine Talks
Ukraine peace negotiations have advanced significantly, with Zelenskyy revealing the 20-point plan is 90% ready. The Ukrainian president stated the task is to ensure everything reaches 100% completion. He acknowledged that this is not easy and will not happen immediately, but each meeting brings the desired result closer.
Trump told Politico on Friday that Zelenskyy “doesn’t have anything until I approve it.” The president added they would see what the Ukrainian leader has to present. Trump-Ukraine talks have positioned Washington as the central mediator in ending the nearly four-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Security Guarantees Top Agenda for Zelenskyy-Trump Meeting
A Ukrainian official familiar with planning for the Zelenskyy-Trump meeting confirmed security guarantees will be prioritised. The discussions will also cover economic prosperity and reconstruction of the war-torn country. Ukraine seeks binding guarantees after previous international commitments failed to prevent Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Figure 2: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with international leaders.
Zelenskyy stated in the WhatsApp chat that territorial issues may or may not be discussed. He expects conversations to focus on security guarantees for Ukraine and the US-backed peace deal plan. There are talks of holding a joint news conference to discuss meeting results, though not necessarily to announce new developments.
Territorial Disputes Remain Major Obstacle in Ukraine Peace Negotiations
Ukraine peace negotiations face significant challenges over territorial concessions in the eastern Donbas region. Zelenskyy said Tuesday he would consider withdrawing troops from Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland if Moscow pulls back troops accordingly. The area would become a demilitarised zone monitored by international forces under this proposal.
Russia has given no indication it will agree to any withdrawal from land it has seized. Moscow insists Ukraine must relinquish the remaining territory it holds in Donbas, encompassing Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Ukraine has rejected this ultimatum, calling instead for an immediate halt to hostilities along existing front lines.
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Status Unresolved in Ukraine Peace Negotiations
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains a critical unresolved issue in Ukraine peace negotiations. Russian troops seized the facility during the early months of the invasion and maintain control. Zelenskyy confirmed he would raise the plant’s status during the Zelenskyy-Trump meeting, stating both Donbas and Zaporizhzhia would be discussed.
Figure 3: The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
Managing the nuclear power plant requires careful diplomatic handling due to safety concerns. The facility’s status represents one of several sensitive issues blocking progress toward a comprehensive peace agreement. Moscow’s demand for Ukraine not to join NATO adds another layer of complexity to Trump-Ukraine talks.
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Torpedoing Peace Deal Efforts
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov accused Ukraine of working to “torpedo” peace talks on Friday. He claimed a revised version of the US peace plan promoted by Kyiv was “radically different” from an earlier version. Ryabkov stated any agreement must remain within the parameters set between Trump and Putin during an August summit.
Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin was “forming its position” on the latest 20-point plan. Moscow was expected to reply on Wednesday but has yet to comment on its contents. Ryabkov emphasised that reaching an agreement depends on political will from all parties involved.
Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Refinery as Military Operations Continue
Ukraine struck a major Russian oil refinery on Thursday using British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles. Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed forces hit the Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Russia’s Rostov region. Multiple explosions were recorded, and the target was hit, according to official statements posted on Telegram.
Rostov regional Governor Yuri Slyusar said a firefighter was wounded while extinguishing the fire. Ukraine’s long-range drone strikes on Russian refineries aim to deprive Moscow of oil export revenue needed to pursue its invasion. These strikes represent Ukraine’s strategy to weaken Russia’s economic capacity to wage war.
Russian Drone Attacks Damage Foreign Vessels in Ukrainian Ports
Russian drone attacks damaged three foreign-flagged vessels in ports in Ukraine’s Odesa and Mykolaiv regions on Friday. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba confirmed one vessel sailed under Slovakia’s flag, a NATO member country. The attacks caused partial disruptions to the power supply in affected areas.
Russia wants to cripple the Ukrainian power grid, seeking to deny civilians access to heat, light and running water. Kyiv officials say this represents an attempt to “weaponise winter” against the Ukrainian population. Moscow has intensified strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as part of its ongoing military campaign.
Conclusion
The Zelenskyy-Trump meeting scheduled for Sunday represents a pivotal moment in efforts to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. Ukraine peace negotiations have reached an advanced stage, with the 20-point plan reportedly 90% complete. However, significant obstacles remain, particularly regarding territorial disputes in the Donbas region and control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Trump-Ukraine talks have positioned Washington as the central mediator between Moscow and Kyiv. The US president sees himself as the decisive power in any potential agreement, though territorial concessions and security guarantees remain contentious. The outcome of Sunday’s bilateral meeting could determine whether diplomatic progress translates into a framework capable of ending the nearly four-year war. Ukrainian officials emphasise that any territorial decisions require public approval, while Russia maintains maximalist demands incompatible with Ukraine’s sovereignty.
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FAQ
Q1. When is the Zelenskyy-Trump meeting scheduled to take place?
Ans. The Zelenskyy-Trump meeting is scheduled for Sunday, 29 December 2025, at 3:00 PM ET in Florida. The White House confirmed the bilateral meeting on its public schedule on 26 December 2025.
Q2. What is the status of the peace plan in the Ukraine peace negotiations?
Ans. The 20-point peace plan is approximately 90% complete, according to President Zelenskyy. He stated the task is to ensure 100% completion, though this will not happen immediately. Each meeting brings the desired result closer.
Q3. What are the main obstacles in the Trump-Ukraine talks?
Ans. Territorial disputes in the Donbas region and control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant represent the main obstacles. Russia demands that Ukraine relinquish the remaining territory in Donbas, while Ukraine calls for an immediate ceasefire along the existing front lines.
Q4. Will European leaders participate in the Zelenskyy-Trump meeting?
Ans. European leaders may join Sunday’s discussions remotely, according to Ukrainian sources. Zelenskyy confirmed he briefed Finnish President Alexander Stubb on what he described as “significant progress” in negotiations.
