Zelenskyy to Meet Trump in Florida as 20-Point Peace Framework Nears Completion

Zelenskyy Trump peace plan.

Ukrainian president says he’d be willing to hold referendum on peace framework The Global Reporter · Posted: Dec 27, 2025 9:00 AM EST | Last Updated: Today Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Friday that he is traveling to Florida this Sunday for a high-stakes meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, signaling a potential turning point in the nearly four-year-old war. In a notable shift in rhetoric, Zelenskyy stated that if the two leaders can finalize a peace framework, he is prepared to put the terms to a national referendum. The meeting, expected to take place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, follows weeks of intense diplomatic maneuvering. Zelenskyy told reporters that a proposed 20-point peace plan is "about 90 per cent ready," though several critical hurdles remain. "We are discussing security guarantees and an economic agreement," Zelenskyy said, while noting that "territorial issues" remain the most sensitive topic on the table. IMAGE

A 'Format' for Peace

Zelenskyy emphasized that while the U.S. is the primary interlocutor at this stage, the involvement of European allies is essential for long-term stability. "We must find some format in the near future in which not only Ukraine and the U.S. are present, but Europe is represented as well," he said, though he acknowledged that organizing a broader coalition on such short notice is difficult. The diplomatic flurry has extended beyond the U.S. and Ukraine. Zelenskyy recently held a call with Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss the status of the negotiations. The Prime Minister’s Office released a statement affirming Canada's commitment to Ukraine while emphasizing that "pressure on Russia" must be maintained to ensure a fair outcome. WATCH | Zelenskyy, Trump to discuss peace and security: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he will meet with Trump in Florida on Sunday to discuss security guarantees and the "90 per cent ready" peace plan.

The Sticking Points: DMZs and Territory

Despite the optimism surrounding the 20-point plan, the reality on the ground remains grim. The proposal reportedly includes the creation of a demilitarized zone (DMZ) in the Donetsk region, which would be monitored by international forces. Zelenskyy has indicated a willingness to withdraw Ukrainian troops from certain eastern areas if Russia agrees to a reciprocal pullback—a concession that would have been unthinkable earlier in the conflict. However, the Kremlin has shown little sign of compromise. While Russian spokesperson Maria Zakharova noted "slow but steady progress," Moscow continues to demand that Ukraine relinquish all territory in the Donbas. Currently, Russia occupies nearly the entirety of Luhansk and approximately 70 per cent of Donetsk.

Escalation Amidst Negotiation

As diplomats talk in Florida, the violence in Ukraine has not abated. On Friday:

Kharkiv: A guided aerial bomb struck a busy road, killing two people and setting several vehicles on fire.
Zaporizhzhia: One person was killed when a house was hit by a Russian strike.
Odesa: Russian drone attacks damaged vital port and energy infrastructure, continuing Moscow's campaign to "weaponize winter" by targeting the power grid.

Ukraine has responded with its own long-range capabilities. The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed a successful strike on the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia's Rostov region using U.K.-supplied Storm Shadow missiles. The strike is part of a broader strategy to choke off the oil revenue Moscow uses to fund its military operations. As Zelenskyy prepares to land in Florida, the world is watching to see if the "90 per cent" can bridge the final, most difficult gap toward a lasting ceasefire.

Zelenskyy to Meet Trump in Florida as 20-Point Peace Framework Nears Completion

Zelenskyy Trump peace plan.

A 'Format' for Peace

The Sticking Points: DMZs and Territory

Escalation Amidst Negotiation