9:47President Donald Trump receives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 28, 2025. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday afternoon for further discussions aimed at resolving the conflict with Russia in Ukraine.
"I believe we’re going to have a very productive meeting today," Trump remarked to reporters while posing for photographs with Zelenskyy.
Trump expressed confidence that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy are prepared to negotiate a resolution.
President Donald Trump receives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 28, 2025.Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
"Yes, I do. I think he is. I believe they both are," Trump stated.
Earlier on Sunday, the president announced online that he had a conversation with Putin just before this meeting commenced and intended to talk to him again after the discussions concluded. The Kremlin later validated that the call occurred, according to Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for the Russian president.
When inquired about the content of his message to Putin during the call, Trump responded, "You need to reach an agreement. It needs to be completed. Too many lives are at stake, and I think both leaders are eager to finalize a deal. I truly believe that.”
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy respond to media inquiries as Zelenskyy arrives for discussions at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 28, 2025.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Despite pledging on the campaign trail to conclude the war in Ukraine from the first day, Trump on Sunday seemed to temper expectations, informing reporters that he has no set timeline to achieve a peace accord.
“I do not have deadlines,” Trump remarked. “I believe we are in the concluding phases of discussions, and we will see; otherwise, this may continue for an extended period. It will either resolve or prolong significantly.”
When pressed regarding whether Putin is genuinely committed to peace, in light of Russia’s ongoing assaults on Ukraine – which included numerous drone strikes on Ukraine overnight, as reported by Kyiv’s air force – Trump reaffirmed his belief that Putin is “serious.”
“No, he’s very serious. I think, you know, I can affirm that. I believe Ukraine has also conducted some significant counterattacks,” Trump stated. “Look, the people of Ukraine want this to end, and the citizens of Russia want it to cease, and both leaders desire an end to this conflict.”
Zelensky mentioned that he arrived at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday to present the president with a 20-point proposal. Key points of contention remain, including Ukraine’s demand for enhanced U.S. security assurances and ongoing territorial disputes. However, Ukraine has come prepared with a notable concession: Zelensky proposed the establishment of a demilitarized buffer zone in the Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine, territory that Putin has long sought to control.
President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 28, 2025.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
When questioned about the details of security assurances for Ukraine, Trump reacted to the reporter, labeling the inquiry as &
Sourse: abcnews.go.com