Washington: As US President Donald Trump prepares to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida on Sunday, he has asserted that any potential peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia would require his approval. The remarks come as Zelenskyy readies a new 20-point peace proposal aimed at ending the nearly four-year-long conflict.
Speaking in an interview cited by Politico, Trump said that no agreement would move forward without his consent. He added that he was keen to review the proposal and assess its feasibility. Zelenskyy has indicated that the peace framework, drafted with inputs from US and Ukrainian officials, is close to completion and is around 90 per cent ready.
The proposed plan reportedly includes provisions such as the creation of a demilitarised zone and discussions on security guarantees from the United States. Trump expressed optimism about upcoming talks, saying he expected positive outcomes from discussions with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also said he intends to speak with Putin soon.
Trump’s comments follow Zelenskyy’s recent discussions with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, which the Ukrainian leader described as productive. Trump also confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be visiting him around the same period.
According to Ukrainian officials, the Florida meeting will go beyond immediate security concerns. Issues such as the future administration of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and control over the Donbas region, claimed by Russia, are expected to feature prominently in the talks.
Zelenskyy has cautioned against expecting an immediate breakthrough but said the meeting could help resolve several pending issues. He emphasised that long-term security guarantees and the role of international partners in maintaining post-war stability would be central to discussions.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy said that high-level talks had already been agreed upon, expressing hope that meaningful decisions could be taken before the New Year.
