Donald Trump has issued a strong caution to Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of their crucial meeting concerning the conflict in Ukraine. The US president and the Ukrainian leader are scheduled to convene in Florida on Sunday, where Zelensky intends to present a new 20-point peace initiative. The discussions will likely encompass a Ukrainian proposal for a demilitarized zone in certain areas of Donbas that remain unoccupied by Russia, as well as Kyiv’s pursuit of security assurances from the US.
In an interview with Politico on Friday, Trump emphasized his authority in approving any potential peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. Responding to inquiries about Zelensky’s latest plan, Trump stated, “He doesn’t have anything until I approve it,” indicating that final decisions rest with him. Despite this assertion, Trump expressed optimism about the upcoming meeting with Zelensky and also mentioned his anticipated communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the near future.
Zelensky recently confirmed that the 20-point plan is nearing completion, with 90% of the work already done. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that everything is fully prepared before moving forward. Additionally, Zelensky had a productive discussion with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, describing it as a positive exchange. Russia, meanwhile, has noted incremental progress in negotiations but has not commented on Zelensky’s proposal to withdraw troops from eastern Donbas contingent upon reciprocal action from Russia.