Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Florida on March 3, 2024, for a crucial meeting with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. This gathering comes as Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, faces renewed assaults from Russian forces, emphasizing the ongoing conflict’s urgency even amid intensified peace negotiations.
The meeting, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, aims to address gaps in a previously proposed 28-point peace plan, which Ukraine has since condensed to 20 points. Intensive negotiations involving American envoys have been underway to formulate a proposal that could be acceptable to both Ukraine and Russia. Trump, who has been at his Palm Beach residence since December 20, will temporarily pause his holiday for this discussion, highlighting its importance.
The groundwork for this meeting was laid after Zelensky’s recent one-hour phone call with Steve Witkoff, Trump’s foreign envoy, and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law. Trump has previously indicated that he would only engage in talks with Zelensky and European allies when substantial progress was evident, reflecting the negotiations’ advanced stage. A US official noted that approximately 90% of the terms of the peace deal have been agreed upon, a sentiment echoed by Zelensky.
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It isn’t easy. No one is saying that it will be 100% right away, but nevertheless, we must bring the desired result closer with every such meeting, every such conversation,”
Zelensky stated, underscoring the challenges ahead. The remaining 10% of the negotiations remains contentious, particularly concerning land concessions necessary to conclude the nearly four-year conflict.
Russia has maintained its firm demands, including the complete surrender of the eastern Donbas region. However, Zelensky is no longer entirely dismissing the possibility of concessions. He has indicated a willingness to present the peace plan to a referendum, contingent on Russia agreeing to a ceasefire, in accordance with Ukraine’s constitutional requirements for changes in territorial borders.
Discussions on how to resolve the deadlock have also included proposals from the US for creating an “economic free zone” in eastern Ukraine. Another significant issue remains the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, which is currently under Russian control. Zelensky has suggested that a joint enterprise between the US and Ukraine could operate the facility, with half of the electricity produced allocated to Ukraine.
Russia will not participate in the upcoming meeting, and it is uncertain whether Moscow is prepared to agree to a ceasefire that would facilitate the implementation of a peace plan. Trump has previously identified both Ukraine and Russia as obstacles to achieving peace. In a recent statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned, “if Kyiv is not willing to resolve the matter peacefully, Russia will accomplish all the aims of the special military operation by military means,” referring to the ongoing conflict.
Overnight, Ukraine’s air force reported that Russian forces launched 519 drones and 40 missiles, further illustrating the persistent violence. Zelensky noted that while discussions to end the fighting are ongoing, the brutal reality of the conflict is evident.
American officials express hope that the meeting will yield productive outcomes following a week of intensive negotiations. Zelensky aims to solidify a framework to end hostilities, particularly focusing on securing guarantees from the United States to prevent further Russian aggression post-conflict. A robust set of security protocols, akin to NATO’s Article 5, was recently discussed in Berlin by European, Ukrainian, and US officials.
This security package is intended to deter further Russian incursions and establish mechanisms for monitoring compliance with any eventual peace agreement. A senior US official described it as the “most robust set of security protocols they have ever seen,” though specifics remain undisclosed.
Trump is reportedly prepared to present these US-backed security guarantees to Congress, describing the proposal as the “platinum standard” for assistance to Ukraine. There are indications that Russia may be amenable to discussions about Ukraine’s potential membership in the European Union as part of any peace resolution.
Unlike previous meetings that included European leaders, this session is expected to focus solely on discussions between Zelensky and Trump. The dynamic between the US and Ukraine has been described as productive, although European officials acknowledge that outcomes with Trump can be unpredictable. As one NATO official remarked, “There is no low-risk scenario with Trump.”
Zelensky’s visit to Florida represents a critical moment in the ongoing pursuit of peace, as both leaders navigate the complex landscape of international relations and conflict resolution.
