Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet US President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday in a high-stakes diplomatic effort to resolve territorial disputes that continue to stall an end to Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Zelenskyy described the talks as potentially decisive, highlighting that “a lot can be decided before the New Year,” as Washington intensifies its mediation efforts in Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

Focus on Territorial Disputes

The most contentious issues remain territorial control, particularly in eastern Ukraine and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which has been under Russian control since the early months of the invasion. Zelenskyy confirmed he will raise these issues during the Florida meeting.

Meanwhile, Moscow has demanded Kyiv withdraw from areas of Donetsk still under Ukrainian control, aiming for full authority over the wider Donbas region (Donetsk and Luhansk). Ukraine, however, insists on an immediate ceasefire along the existing front lines.

Trump’s Role as Mediator

Trump has emphasized his influence over any potential deal, signaling that Kyiv’s proposals are effectively incomplete without his approval. Speaking to Politico, Trump said:

“He doesn’t have anything until I approve it… So we’ll see what he’s got.”

He also suggested he may speak directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon, underlining the centrality of the US in shaping any agreement.

Proposed Territorial and Economic Arrangements

To bridge the divide, US officials have floated the concept of a free economic zone should Ukraine make territorial concessions, though operational details remain unclear. Zelenskyy stressed that any such concessions must receive public approval, potentially via a Ukrainian referendum.

Beyond territory, Zelenskyy said discussions would cover economic arrangements, security guarantees, and draft peace agreements, including a near-final security pact with Washington and a 20-point peace framework.

Ukraine is pushing for binding guarantees following previous international commitments that failed to prevent Russia’s February 2022 invasion.

European Participation

Zelenskyy confirmed that European leaders could participate remotely during Sunday’s discussions. He said he had already briefed Finnish President Alexander Stubb on what he called “significant progress” in talks.

Russian Response

Despite Zelenskyy’s optimism, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov accused Ukraine of attempting to “torpedo” negotiations by revising the US peace plan. He stressed that any agreement must align with parameters set between Trump and Putin during their August summit—a framework Ukraine and its European partners have criticized as overly favorable to Russia.

On the ground, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and the southern port city of Odesa. A missile strike on Kharkiv on Friday killed two civilians, highlighting the continuing human toll of the conflict.

Looking Ahead

The Florida meeting represents a pivotal moment for the US-led diplomatic push to end hostilities in Ukraine. With territorial disputes at the heart of negotiations, the outcome could shape the next phase of the conflict and the broader security landscape in Europe.