U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Florida on Sunday as fighting intensified in Ukraine and diplomatic efforts toward a possible peace agreement continued.
After the meeting, Trump said Russia and Ukraine are “close” to a peace deal but acknowledged that major obstacles remain. He described “one or two very thorny issues” that negotiators are still working through, chief among them the future of the eastern Donbas region, which has been heavily contested since Russia’s invasion.
Trump told reporters that Donbas is a “tough issue” that has not yet been resolved, though he said discussions are moving closer to an agreement. According to Reuters, Zelensky has pushed back on a U.S. proposal that would involve Ukrainian forces withdrawing from parts of Donbas, a move that would effectively cede territory currently held by Ukraine.
Zelensky described the issue as deeply sensitive for Ukraine.
“We have to respect our law and our people. We respect the territory which we control. And of course, our attitude is very clear,” Zelensky said. “That’s why President Trump said this is a very tough question, and of course, we have, with Russians, different positions on it.”
The two leaders met at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence to discuss a 20-point peace plan. Leaders from several European countries also joined portions of the discussion by phone, underscoring the international stakes involved in any potential agreement.
Earlier Sunday, Trump said he had spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the call as “good and productive.” The Associated Press reported that Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said the call was initiated by the U.S. side and was “friendly, benevolent and businesslike.” Ushakov added that Trump and Putin agreed to speak again “promptly” after Trump’s meeting with Zelensky.
The diplomatic activity comes amid a surge in Russian attacks on Ukraine. On Saturday night, Russia launched approximately 500 drones and 40 missiles in a large-scale assault that killed at least one person and wounded dozens. On Sunday, three guided aerial bombs struck private homes in the eastern city of Sloviansk, according to local military administration head Vadym Lakh. Three people were wounded and one person was killed.
Zelensky said the scale of recent attacks highlights the ongoing threat facing Ukraine. Writing on X, he said that in just one week Russia launched more than 2,100 attack drones, around 800 guided aerial bombs and 94 missiles.
“All of this was directed against our people, against life itself and everything that sustains its normal functioning – above all, against our energy infrastructure,” Zelensky said.
Before his meeting with Zelensky, Trump was asked whether the latest Russian assaults suggested that Putin was not serious about peace talks. Trump rejected that idea, saying he believes Putin remains committed to negotiations.
“I believe Ukraine has made some very strong attacks also, and I don’t say that negatively,” Trump said. “I think, you probably have to.”
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