Trump Asserts Authority Over Ukraine-Russia Peace Deal as Zelenskyy Prepares to Present New Plan
President Donald Trump has made it clear that he will have the final say on any peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing his authority ahead of a scheduled meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this Sunday in Florida. “He doesn’t have anything until I approve it,” Trump told Politico on Friday, setting expectations for the upcoming talks. The meeting comes at a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict, with Zelenskyy ready to present a nearly complete 20-point peace proposal for Trump’s consideration. This represents a significant moment in the diplomatic efforts to end the war that has devastated Ukraine and reshaped European security dynamics since Russia’s invasion.
Zelenskyy appears optimistic about the meeting, telling reporters that his peace plan is “90% ready” while acknowledging the challenges ahead. “Our task is to make sure that everything is 100% ready. It is not easy, and no one says that it will be 100% right away, but nevertheless we must bring the desired result closer with each such meeting, each such conversation,” the Ukrainian leader explained. The focus of their discussions will reportedly center on security guarantees for Ukraine, though Zelenskyy expressed uncertainty about whether territorial issues would be addressed during this initial meeting. This underscores the complexity of finding common ground on Ukraine’s sovereignty over territories currently occupied by Russian forces—a consistently contentious point in previous peace negotiations.
The upcoming talks mark a notable shift in Trump’s approach, as he had previously stated in November that he would not meet with either Zelenskyy or Putin unless a deal to end the war was already in its final stages. The scheduled meeting suggests there may be more progress in behind-the-scenes negotiations than publicly acknowledged. Trump has expressed optimism about both the upcoming conversation with Zelenskyy and potential future discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating simply, “I think it’s going to go good with him. I think it’s going to go good with Putin.” He also mentioned he expects to speak with Putin “soon,” indicating a potential three-way diplomatic effort to bring the conflict to a close.
Diplomatic momentum appears to be building, with Zelenskyy highlighting “a very good conversation” with Jared Kushner and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff on Thursday. These discussions reportedly focused specifically on ending the war and ensuring lasting peace in the region. The involvement of Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and trusted advisor, alongside the official diplomatic channels represented by Witkoff, suggests a multi-pronged approach to the peace process that leverages both formal and informal relationships. This development follows multiple meetings between Trump and Zelenskyy since Trump took office in January, including a February encounter in the Oval Office where the two leaders reportedly had open disagreements about diplomatic engagement with Russia.
The relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy has been complex, with past meetings revealing differences in their approaches to resolving the conflict. Their February meeting in the Oval Office reportedly included open sparring between Zelenskyy, Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance over how to engage with Russia diplomatically. Adding another dimension to the diplomatic landscape, Trump met with Putin in Alaska in August, though details of their discussions have not been fully disclosed. These various engagements highlight Trump’s willingness to speak directly with both sides of the conflict, a strategy he appears to be continuing as peace efforts intensify.
As Sunday’s meeting approaches, questions remain about what specific proposals Zelenskyy will present and how they might align with Trump’s vision for ending the conflict. Trump’s assertion of final authority over any peace deal underscores the United States’ pivotal role in the process, while also highlighting the challenges Zelenskyy faces in securing terms that protect Ukrainian sovereignty and security interests. The White House has not officially confirmed the Sunday meeting, adding an element of uncertainty to the developing situation. What seems clear, however, is that diplomatic efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict have entered a new and potentially decisive phase, with Trump positioning himself as the ultimate arbiter of any peace agreement that emerges from these complex negotiations.
