Trump Launches Year-End Diplomatic Sprint, Claims Zelenskyy and Putin Are “Serious” in War Talks

MAR-A-LAGO, Florida – In a whirlwind of diplomatic activity, U.S. President Donald Trump engaged directly with the leaders of Ukraine and Russia on Sunday, declaring both sides “serious” about peace as he pushes for an end to the nearly two-year war. The talks, which Trump described as the “final stages” of his mediation efforts, unfolded against a backdrop of renewed Russian missile strikes and deep European skepticism.

A Sprint Without a Deadline

Hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump reiterated his long-standing pledge to resolve the conflict but stated he had “no deadline.” The visit follows a pattern from their October summit, where a Trump-Putin phone call also preceded the Ukrainian leader’s arrival. This time, Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly before welcoming Zelenskyy, immediately afterward voicing optimism about cooperation with Moscow.

“He’s very serious,” Trump told reporters when asked if Putin was committed to peace despite the morning’s massive bombardment of Kyiv, which occurred as Zelenskyy was en route. “I can say that I believe Ukraine has made some very strong attacks also, and I don’t say that negatively. I think you probably have to.”

Earlier, on social media, Trump called his discussion with Putin “very productive.”

Divergent Readouts and Key Demands

The Kremlin’s account of the call was more pointed, stating Trump agreed a simple ceasefire “would only prolong the conflict” and emphasizing Russia’s demand for Ukrainian territorial concessions. Moscow insists any deal must recognize its sovereignty over the annexed regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.

Standing alongside Zelenskyy at the estate entrance—with the Ukrainian president positioned a step below—Trump outlined elements of an emerging deal. “There will be a security agreement. It’ll be a strong agreement,” he said, adding that European nations would be “very much involved in protection, et cetera.” This aligns with previous advisories from Trump’s team about potentially offering Ukraine NATO-like security guarantees, which could commit allies to a military response against future Russian aggression.

European Alarm and On-the-Ground Reality

The diplomatic push faced immediate headwinds from European allies, alarmed by both the timing of Russia’s attacks and the contours of the proposed peace plan. The assault on Kyiv temporarily knocked out power and heating for hundreds of thousands during a winter freeze.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, set to join a later call with Trump and Zelenskyy, wrote on X that the Russian strikes were “contrary to President Trump’s expectations and despite the readiness to make compromises” by Ukraine.

The Revised U.S. Peace Plan

The framework under discussion, refined through weeks of intense U.S.-Ukraine negotiations, would reportedly freeze the conflict along current front lines. It could require Ukrainian forces to pull back from some eastern positions to create demilitarized buffer zones, marking Kyiv’s most explicit acknowledgment yet of potential territorial concessions.

However, the plan does not currently compel Ukraine to relinquish the roughly 20% of the Donetsk region it still controls—a core Russian demand. Zelenskyy, who has faced past criticism from Trump, cautiously projected openness. “It’s very important our teams talk about strategy,” he said before the leaders retreated to a private dining room with top aides.

Putin’s Leverage and Threats

Moscow appears emboldened by recent incremental gains, announcing on Saturday the capture of two more towns in eastern Ukraine. In a statement that cast a shadow over the day’s diplomacy, Putin warned on Saturday, “If the authorities in Kyiv don’t want to settle this business peacefully, we’ll resolve all the problems before us by military means.”

Russia has also accused Ukraine and its European backers of trying to “torpedo” earlier U.S.-brokered proposals.

A Fragile Path Forward

As the Mar-a-Lago meeting concluded after approximately an hour, the schedule underscored the fragile, high-stakes nature of the sprint. Trump and Zelenskyy were set to hold a joint call with key European leaders, followed by another scheduled conversation between Trump and Putin later Sunday.

The day’s events highlighted the central tension of Trump’s approach: his personal confidence in dealing with Putin, juxtaposed with ongoing violence on the ground and profound reservations from the European allies whose support any lasting agreement would require. Whether this final-stages push yields a breakthrough or deepens the diplomatic divide remains the urgent question hanging over the winter crisis.

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