PALM BEACH, FL — President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Sunday, December 28, 2025, for a high-stakes summit aimed at ending the nearly four-year-old conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Following over three hours of private discussions and a working lunch, both leaders emerged with a cautiously optimistic tone, suggesting that while “thorny issues” remain, a framework for peace is closer than ever.
[You can watch the President Trump and President Zelensky post-meeting news conference HERE]
The meeting took place against a backdrop of intensified Russian military activity, with Moscow launching massive drone and missile strikes against Kyiv just days prior. Despite the ongoing violence, President Trump struck a confident chord during a joint press conference in the Mar-a-Lago dining room. “I do think we’re getting a lot closer, maybe very close,” Trump remarked, adding that he believes both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin are now serious about a resolution.
Central to the discussions was a revised 20-point peace plan that has been the subject of intensive negotiations involving U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. President Zelenskyy stated that the plan is currently “90% ready,” focusing on ironclad security guarantees and an economic “prosperity plan” to rebuild the war-torn nation.
However, the remaining 10% represents significant geopolitical hurdles. The most contentious issue remains the status of the Donbas region. While Zelenskyy insisted that Ukraine would not cede its sovereign territory, Trump described the territorial question as “unresolved” but potentially solvable through future negotiations. Another point of discussion included the creation of a demilitarized free economic zone in contested areas, a concept Trump noted was “getting a lot closer” to an agreement.
In an effort to ensure a multilateral approach, the two leaders held a one-hour conference call during the summit with a broad group of European allies, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the leaders of France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom. “Security guarantees must be simultaneous with the end of the war,” Zelenskyy emphasized, underscoring the need for Western protection against future Russian aggression.
Trump also revealed that he held a “very productive” phone call with Vladimir Putin on Sunday morning and intended to call the Russian leader again immediately following his meeting with Zelenskyy. The U.S. President signaled that the “final stages” of the process could culminate in a formal summit in Washington this January.
While no final signature was put to paper today, the Mar-a-Lago summit marked a significant shift in the diplomatic landscape. Trump warned that the alternative to a deal would be an “indefinite” continuation of the war, yet he concluded the day by praising Zelenskyy’s bravery and expressing hope for a New Year breakthrough.
Mainstream Sources and Links
- The Washington Post: Trump and Zelenskyy strike hopeful tone after talks as hurdles remain
- The Guardian: Trump and Zelenskyy meet in Florida – as it happened
- CBS News: Trump and Zelenskyy say they’re nearly in agreement on Ukraine peace plan
- Associated Press (via PBS NewsHour): Trump reports ‘very productive call’ with Putin before meeting with Zelenskyy
- CNN (via KEYT): Takeaways from Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy in Florida
Disclaimer
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure & Legal Disclaimer
AI Content Policy.
To provide our readers with timely and comprehensive coverage, South Florida Reporter uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in producing certain articles and visual content.
Articles: AI may be used to assist in research, structural drafting, or data analysis. All AI-assisted text is reviewed and edited by our team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our editorial standards.
Images: Any imagery generated or significantly altered by AI is clearly marked with a disclaimer or watermark to distinguish it from traditional photography or editorial illustrations.
General Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service. In no event shall South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service.
The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice. The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components.
