Zelensky to Meet Trump in Florida as Peace Talks With Russia Face Major Gaps

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he plans to meet US President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday for talks aimed at ending Russia’s full scale war against Ukraine, as diplomatic efforts intensify but divisions between Kyiv and Moscow remain deep.

Zelensky told reporters that the meeting is expected to focus on a US brokered 20 point peace plan, which he said is nearing completion. He added that discussions will also cover separate proposals related to long term US security guarantees for Ukraine, an issue Kyiv considers essential to any lasting settlement.

The planned talks come as Washington steps up its role in trying to mediate an end to the conflict, now entering its fourth year. US officials have been engaging both Ukrainian and Russian representatives in parallel discussions, seeking common ground that could lead to a ceasefire and eventual peace agreement.

However, the challenges facing the negotiations were underscored by comments from Moscow. A senior Russian official said the plan being discussed with Ukraine was radically different from the framework Russia is negotiating with the United States, highlighting the wide gap between the two sides’ positions.

Russia has spoken cautiously of slow but steady progress in talks with Washington, though it has not publicly responded to Zelensky’s suggestion that Ukraine could withdraw troops from parts of the eastern Donbas region if Russian forces also pull back. The lack of response suggests that territorial issues remain among the most contentious obstacles to an agreement.

For Kyiv, the issue of security guarantees is central. Ukrainian officials fear that any pause in fighting without firm international backing could leave the country vulnerable to renewed aggression. Zelensky has repeatedly said that Ukraine needs binding assurances, particularly from the United States, to prevent the conflict from restarting after a deal is signed.

From Moscow’s perspective, officials continue to insist on conditions that Ukraine and its allies have so far rejected, including demands related to territory and Ukraine’s future alignment with Western institutions. These positions have made it difficult to translate diplomatic engagement into concrete breakthroughs.

Analysts say the upcoming meeting between Zelensky and Trump could help clarify Washington’s priorities and determine how much pressure the US is willing to apply to push talks forward. Even if no immediate agreement emerges, the talks may shape the direction of negotiations in the weeks ahead.

As fighting continues on the ground, expectations for Sunday’s meeting remain cautious. While the renewed diplomatic momentum offers a glimmer of hope, the stark differences between Kyiv and Moscow suggest that any path toward ending the war will be complex, gradual and politically fraught.