Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to Hold Talks with U.S. President Trump in Florida
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida this weekend. The discussions are set to include security assurances for Ukraine and a nearly finalized 20-point plan.
Zelenskyy mentioned that an “economic agreement” would also be on the agenda, although he expressed uncertainty about reaching a conclusion by the end of the talks. Another critical topic will be “territorial issues,” as Ukraine resists Russia’s demand to cede remaining territories in the Donbas, where Moscow controls most of Luhansk and around 70% of Donetsk.
While expressing a desire for European involvement, Zelenskyy noted the challenge of organizing this at short notice. “We must, without doubt, find some format in the near future in which not only Ukraine and the U.S. are present, but Europe is represented as well,” he stated, emphasizing the need for broader international engagement.
The upcoming meeting is part of a broader U.S.-driven diplomatic effort to resolve the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has been ongoing since February 24, 2022. However, these efforts face significant hurdles due to the conflicting positions of Moscow and Kyiv.
In recent discussions, Zelenskyy mentioned a positive conversation with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. On the Russian side, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed ongoing communications with U.S. representatives following a meeting between Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev and U.S. envoys in Florida. “It was agreed upon to continue the dialogue,” Peskov commented.
While Zelenskyy has shown willingness to consider troop withdrawal under certain conditions, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova acknowledged “slow but steady progress” in peace talks. However, Russia remains firm in maintaining control over captured territories.
On the ground, violence continues with deadly consequences. In Kharkiv, a guided aerial bomb resulted in two deaths and six injuries. In Zaporizhzhia, similar attacks left one dead and three injured, while a missile strike in Uman wounded six. Russian drone strikes have damaged infrastructure in Mykolaiv and Odesa, leaving some areas without power.
Meanwhile, Ukraine reported a successful strike on a Russian oil refinery using U.K.-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, hitting the Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Russia’s Rostov region. “Multiple explosions were recorded. The target was hit,” Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed on Telegram. This move is part of Ukraine’s strategy to disrupt Russian oil revenues, crucial for its military operations.
To follow ongoing coverage of the conflict, visit the AP’s dedicated hub at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
