Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set for high-stakes talks with former US President Donald Trump on Sunday, as Russia unleashes its heaviest aerial attacks on Ukraine in months. The meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida aims to advance a peace plan to end the nearly four-year-old full-scale war.
Peace Talks Under the Shadow of Russian Missiles
The diplomatic push comes against a grim backdrop of continued violence. Zelenskyy arrived in Florida on Saturday night, shortly after condemning a massive Russian air assault on Kyiv as "Russia's answer to our peace efforts." The Ukrainian capital endured a 12-hour onslaught involving more than 500 drones and ballistic missiles, which killed two people and left half a million without power.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who met with Zelenskyy in Halifax on Saturday, labelled the bombardment "barbaric." He emphasised that a "willing Russia" was essential for creating the conditions for a just and lasting peace.
The Stumbling Blocks: Security and Territory
The centrepiece of the discussions is the latest iteration of a 20-point peace plan, which Zelenskyy indicated is 90% complete. However, fundamental and unresolved issues remain, primarily concerning security guarantees and territory.
Trump has made no military commitment to defend Ukraine, and the critical question of how to prevent future Russian aggression is unanswered. On the territorial front, the status of the eastern Donbas region is a major point of contention. Russian President Vladimir Putin demands Ukraine hand over parts of Donetsk it has not captured, while Zelenskyy's counter-proposal involves a demilitarised zone and mutual withdrawal.
This plan could be put to a referendum, but only if Moscow first agrees to a ceasefire lasting 60 to 90 days. In a move seen as pre-talks posturing, Russia's defence ministry announced on Sunday the capture of five settlements in eastern and southern Ukraine, a claim dismissed by Kyiv.
A History of Tense Diplomacy and High Stakes
Sunday's meeting represents a significant diplomatic risk for Zelenskyy. Relations with the Trump administration have been rocky, notably after a bruising session at the White House in February where Trump and Vice-President JD Vance berated the Ukrainian leader. Subsequent meetings have been more productive, but the shadow of a US political shift looms large.
Zelenskyy has worked to mend ties with the Russia-leaning White House while coordinating with European allies. He expects European leaders to join the Mar-a-Lago talks via video link. The Ukrainian delegation includes key security and diplomatic figures, while Trump will be joined by envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
In a recent interview, Trump tempered expectations, stating of Zelenskyy, "He doesn't have anything until I approve it. So we'll see what he's got." With the US president showing little willingness to pressure Russia, observers are pessimistic. Yuriy Boyechko of Hope for Ukraine charity noted the "fundamental flaw" is the absence of the aggressor, Putin, from the talks, arguing that peace cannot be achieved without his direct commitment.
As the leaders convene, the war grinds on. Ukraine's military reported hitting a Russian oil refinery in Samara overnight, while Russian attacks wounded three civilians in the Kharkiv region. The path to peace remains fraught, with the latest diplomatic effort unfolding to the sound of distant explosions.
