Trump Downplays Zelenskyy Proposal Ahead of Florida Meeting/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ahead of a key meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump said any proposed peace deal is subject to his approval. Zelenskyy plans to present a 20-point framework, but Trump appeared noncommittal. The talks come as pressure builds for progress on Ukraine-Russia peace and U.S. security guarantees.
Trump-Zelenskyy Talks Quick Looks
- Trump says Zelenskyy’s plan “doesn’t count” without approval
- Zelenskyy bringing 20-point proposal to Florida meeting
- Trump remains noncommittal, appears skeptical of current offer
- Peace framework includes demilitarized zone, security guarantees
- Trump believes upcoming talks with Zelenskyy and Putin will go well
- Russia has not responded to Ukraine’s new plan
- U.S. continues pressuring Zelenskyy to compromise
- Trump ordered delayed airstrikes on ISIS as “Christmas message”
- Netanyahu also visiting Trump for talks on Iran threat
- Ukraine proposal includes Russian withdrawal from Donetsk
Trump Downplays Zelenskyy Proposal Ahead Florida Meeting
Deep Look
PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump made it clear Friday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s proposed peace plan will only move forward with his explicit approval. Speaking exclusively to POLITICOTrump asserted that any agreement between Ukraine and Russia rests in his hands, signaling a potentially tough road ahead for Zelenskyy as he seeks U.S. backing for a ceasefire framework.
“He doesn’t have anything until I approve it,” Trump told POLITICO, brushing off the 20-point proposal that Zelenskyy plans to present during their meeting in Florida on Sunday. “So we’ll see what he’s got.”
Trump’s remarks reveal both his dominant role in shaping U.S. involvement in the war and his continued skepticism about Ukraine’s negotiating position. While Zelenskyy’s new plan reportedly includes a demilitarized zone and a conditional Russian withdrawal from parts of Donetsk, Trump offered no immediate support and emphasized that only his endorsement will move the process forward.
Zelenskyy’s Peace Offer: Flexible but Firm
President Zelenskyy is expected to arrive in Florida with a fresh proposal aimed at showing flexibility without territorial surrender. Ukrainian officials say the plan outlines a demilitarized zonerequests for NATO-style security guaranteesand clearer agreements over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and Donbas region.
Crucially, Ukraine’s offer requires that Russia pull back from an equivalent zone in Donetsk if a demilitarized buffer is to be accepted. Yet Moscow has not respondedand there are no signs that the Kremlin is open to partial concessions. Russia continues to demand full control over eastern Ukraine, underscoring the wide divide between both sides.
While the Biden and Trump administrations have privately urged Kyiv to consider compromisesZelenskyy remains firm on not recognizing any Ukrainian territory as Russian.
Trump Holds All the Cards
Trump’s latest statements reflect his desire to portray himself as the sole power broker in any future peace deal.
“I think it’s going to go good with him. I think it’s going to go good with [Vladimir] Putin,” Trump said, hinting at an eventual conversation with the Russian president. “I expect to speak with him soon — as much as I want.”
Throughout the Ukraine war, Trump has frequently suggested he could end the conflict quickly if elected, positioning himself as a leader who could bring both sides to the table. However, critics argue his public comments have often favored Russia’s interestsand his unpredictable approach could risk undermining delicate diplomatic efforts.
Inside the Trump-Zelenskyy Weekend Agenda
The Sunday meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy is expected to cover several critical issues:
- Security guarantees for Ukraine, possibly modeled after NATO’s Article 5which promises a collective response if Ukraine is attacked
- The management and oversight of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plantcurrently under contested control
- The status and future of the Donbas regionwhere Russian-backed forces still claim sovereignty
The United States has not yet issued a formal public response to Zelenskyy’s proposal, suggesting internal deliberations remain ongoing.
Zelenskyy’s call with Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Thursday was described as a “good conversation,” but Trump’s comments Friday suggest he remains unmoved by diplomatic framing alone.
ISIS Airstrikes and Symbolism in Foreign Policy
In the same interview, Trump confirmed that U.S. airstrikes against ISIS in Nigeriacarried out Thursday, were intentionally delayed for symbolism.
“They were going to do it earlier,” Trump said. “And I said, ‘nope, let’s give a Christmas present.’ … They didn’t think that was coming, but we hit them hard. Every camp got decimated.”
The strikes, Trump claimed, were retaliation for ISIS killings of Christianswhich he said were happening at levels “not seen for many years, and even centuries!”
The remarks reinforce Trump’s use of symbolic, high-profile gestures to emphasize strength in international affairs, a strategy that resonates with his base but has often sparked global concern over unpredictability.
Back-to-Back Diplomacy: Netanyahu Also Visiting
Trump also confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit him this weekend, highlighting a flurry of foreign diplomacy at Mar-a-Lago. “I have Zelenskyy and I have Bibi coming. They’re all coming. They all come,” Trump said. “They respect our country again.”
According to NBC News, Netanyahu plans to brief Trump on Iranwhich Israel views as an escalating threat in the Middle East. The simultaneous meetings with both Netanyahu and Zelenskyy suggest a broader foreign policy agenda taking shape around Trump as he prepares for another potential term in office.
The Road Ahead
With tensions still high on the front lines in Ukraine and diplomatic solutions appearing elusive, Trump’s endorsement or rejection of Zelenskyy’s proposal could shape the next phase of the war. The weekend meeting is likely to be a defining moment not just for U.S.-Ukraine relations, but also for Trump’s evolving role as a global power broker.
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