Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy struck an optimistic yet urgent tone on social media ahead of a critical Sunday meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. The leaders are set to work on advancing a peace plan to end the war with Russia before the new year, following weeks of intense diplomatic discussions.
Diplomatic Push Hinges on Allied Support
In a detailed post on the platform X, Zelenskyy framed the current moment as one of the most active diplomatic periods of the year. He emphasized that the potential for peace between Ukraine and Russia rests squarely on the shoulders of his country's international partners. "We are doing everything toward this, but whether decisions will be made depends on our partners – those who help Ukraine, and those who put pressure on Russia," he wrote. The Ukrainian leader stressed that Russians must feel the consequences of their aggression through sustained international pressure.
Relentless Russian Attacks Underscore Urgency
Zelenskyy's diplomatic plea comes against a backdrop of escalated violence. He revealed that just this week, Russian forces launched a massive barrage against Ukraine, including over 2,100 attack drones, around 800 guided aerial bombs, and 94 missiles of various types. He stated these weapons were directed against Ukrainian people, life, and critically, the nation's energy infrastructure.
The attacks intensified on Saturday, just days before the scheduled meeting in Florida. Multiple Russian strikes across Ukraine resulted in at least one fatality and left several others wounded. Zelenskyy praised Ukrainian repair crews, energy workers, and first responders for working around the clock to restore power and protect lives.
Sanctions, Air Defence, and Security Guarantees Key
Beyond immediate defence, Zelenskyy outlined the essential elements needed for a lasting resolution. He argued it is equally vital for sanctions against Russia to be fully effective and for all forms of political pressure to be applied. Furthermore, he highlighted the urgent need for Ukraine to receive air defence missiles and for the international community to finalize the specific steps that will end the war and guarantee future security. "These are exactly the steps we will be discussing with our partners today," he concluded.
The meeting follows Trump's approval in November of a 28-point peace plan. The proposal, which has been viewed as significantly favourable to Moscow and reportedly involves Ukrainian territorial concessions, initially faced strong pushback from leaders in Kyiv and across Europe.
In a move highlighting his unique diplomatic approach, Trump stated on his Truth Social platform on Sunday that he "just had a good and very productive telephone call with President Putin of Russia" prior to sitting down with Zelenskyy. However, just days earlier, Trump had tempered expectations for the meeting, telling Politico that Zelenskyy "doesn’t have anything until I approve it." He added, "So we’ll see what he’s got," setting the stage for a high-stakes dialogue at Mar-a-Lago.
