U.S. President Donald Trump seems to be at Russian President Vladimir Putin subsequent to him throughout a press convention after talks to barter an finish to the struggle in Ukraine at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
President Donald Trump stated Sunday that he had a “very fruitful” cellphone dialog with Russian chief Vladimir Putin forward of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s arrival at Mar-a-Lago as a part of Trump’s newest try to finish the struggle between the 2 nations.
“Previous to my assembly with President Zelenskiy at the moment at 1 p.m., I simply had a really productive cellphone dialog with President Vladimir Putin of Russia,” Trump stated in a put up on Fact Social.
After exchanging transient greetings with President Zelensky previous to the assembly, President Trump stated, “I’m assured that we’re prepared for an settlement that’s helpful for Ukraine and for everybody.”
Trump added that he plans to name Putin once more after his assembly with Zelensky.
The high-stakes talks come at a crucial second in efforts to finish the practically four-year struggle that started with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
Zelensky, who arrived in Florida early Sunday, stated the 2 leaders would focus on financial and safety agreements and “territorial points” that stay the details of competition between Russia and Ukraine.
President Zelensky instructed reporters this week that about 90% of his 20-point peace plan is prepared, however it’s unclear whether or not the result of the peace talks will likely be accepted by President Putin. Key obstacles to a cope with Russia embrace the Donbass area, which Putin covets most, U.S. safety over Ukraine and the standing of Europe’s largest nuclear energy plant.
Russia has reportedly moved into the battlefield in current months, claiming management of extra areas in japanese Ukraine, and officers have repeatedly urged Ukraine to desert all of Donbas, together with the components nonetheless underneath Kiev management.
On Saturday, Russia attacked Ukraine’s capital and different areas with a whole lot of missiles and drones, chopping off energy and warmth in components of the capital, Reuters reported. President Zelenskiy referred to as this a Russian response to U.S.-brokered peace efforts.
The peace plan consists of the switch of disputed territory to Russia and a name for a Ukrainian vote on a demilitarized “free financial zone” in Donetsk, the capital and largest metropolis in a part of the Donbas area.
President Zelenskiy on Sunday pointed to assaults on his nation’s power infrastructure amid peace efforts and urged they have been partly motivated by maintaining stress on Russia, together with sanctions on Ukraine and protection know-how.
“That is essentially the most diplomatic interval of the yr, and lots of issues will likely be determined earlier than the brand new yr,” President Zelenskiy stated on social media.
Early Sunday, a Kremlin official stated U.S. and Russian leaders agreed to oppose the momentary ceasefire being negotiated, suggesting that Ukraine must make “daring choices” concerning the Donbas area to finish the struggle.
“Importantly, the presidents of Russia and the US share the same view that the choice of a short lived ceasefire, proposed by Ukraine and the European aspect in preparation for a referendum or underneath different pretexts, will solely result in a prolongation of the battle,” Kremlin overseas coverage adviser Yuri Ushakov instructed Reuters.
Trump stated in a put up on Fact Social that his assembly with Zelensky will happen in the primary eating room of the Mar-a-Lago resort, with reporters current.
In February, a gathering between President Trump and President Zelenskiy over a possible mineral commerce between the 2 nations devolved right into a public spectacle, with President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance accusing President Zelenskiy of being “disrespectful” to the US president.
