President Donald Trump met Sunday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, as the White House intensified diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia.
Speaking to reporters before the closed-door meeting, Trump said he believes negotiations are nearing a critical stage.
“I do believe that we have the makings of a deal,” Trump said, adding that his priority is ending the war rather than meeting a specific deadline. “You know what my deadline is? Getting the war ended.”
Trump also warned that continued fighting could result in “millions” more deaths if a settlement is not reached, calling the conflict the most difficult diplomatic challenge he has faced, according to remarks reported by the New York Post.
The meeting followed a phone call earlier Sunday between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which the Kremlin described as “friendly, cordial, and businesslike,” according to CNN. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the call lasted more than an hour and included discussions about continuing negotiations through specially created working groups focused on security and economic issues.
Trump said he plans to speak again with Putin following his meeting with Zelensky.
The talks come amid heightened military pressure, with Russia launching its longest sustained aerial assault on Kyiv this year shortly before the Florida meeting. Ukrainian officials said the attacks killed at least two people, wounded dozens, and left parts of the capital without residential heating during freezing temperatures.
Zelensky said discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian teams have progressed in recent weeks and that Sunday’s meeting would focus on the sequencing and strategy of a 20-point peace framework.
“It’s very important our teams talk about strategy — how to make step-by-step, and to bring peace closer,” Zelensky said, adding that approximately 90% of the plan has already been discussed.
Multiple senior U.S. officials attended the meeting at Mar-a-Lago, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, and White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller, according to CNN. Reporters were asked to leave shortly before talks began.
Trump said he and Zelensky are also expected to consult with European leaders following the meeting as negotiations continue.
