Trump welcomes Zelensky while Putin remains adamant on war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets this Sunday (28/12) with United States President Donald Trump, amid new diplomatic attempts to discuss a possible ceasefire in the war with Russia. The meeting, however, takes place against a backdrop of strong resistance from Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, who reaffirms that he has no intention of retreating into the territories occupied since 2022.

On the eve of the meeting, Putin once again adopted a tough line. This Saturday (27/12), he declared that if kyiv does not accept the conditions imposed by Moscow, Russia will continue its military offensive. According to Putin, the interest in withdrawing troops from occupied areas is “virtually zero”.

“If Ukraine is not willing to resolve the issue peacefully, Russia will carry out all the tasks of the Central Military District by force,” the Russian said.

According to Vladimir Putin, a solution would involve Ukraine abandoning territories occupied by Russian forces – something Zelensky is trying to avoid.

As Zelensky seeks to shore up political and military support from the West, Putin maintains a rigid stance, making clear he has no intention of abandoning his strategic demands – casting doubt on the viability of a peace deal in the near term.

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Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky

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Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky

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Volodymyr Zelensky met with Canadian Prime Minister and received economic support on the eve of the summit with Donald Trump

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Russian President Vladimir Putin

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Zelensky’s strategy and coordination with his allies

In recent months, Zelensky has begun to intensify dialogue with European leaders and their strategic allies, aiming to strengthen his position ahead of negotiations with Trump. On Friday, the Ukrainian president made a brief stopover in Canada, where he met with Prime Minister Mark Carney and participated in a call with European leaders to align their positions.

During his visit, Carney announced the release of 2.5 billion Canadian dollars in economic support to Ukraine, intended for the country’s reconstruction. The Prime Minister also described the Russian attack that hit kyiv on Friday evening as “barbaric”.

For Zelensky, the offensive was Russia’s direct response to ongoing diplomatic efforts. “It is clear that Putin does not want peace. We do,” the Ukrainian president said, defending more international pressure on Moscow and strong security guarantees for kyiv.

Trump maintains an ambiguous speech

On the eve of the meeting, Trump once again adopted a critical tone towards the Ukrainian leader. In an interview with Politico, he said Zelensky “has nothing until I approve it,” referring to negotiations to end the war.

At the beginning of December, the Republican had already provoked the Ukrainian on another occasion, recalling the fateful argument which had opposed them in the Oval Office in February. “I said, ‘You don’t have any tricks up your sleeve,’” Trump said. “It was time to negotiate. I thought it would have been a much better time to negotiate…They have a lot of things going against them now,” he added.

Despite this statement, the North American said he believed the meeting could be productive. “I think everything will be fine for him. I think everything will be fine for (Vladimir) Putin,” he said, adding that he hoped to speak “soon” with the Russian president.

The meeting takes place within the framework of diplomatic negotiations led by Washington and kyiv, but surrounded by uncertainties.

Territories at the center of negotiations

Zelensky has already indicated that he intends to discuss sensitive issues directly with Trump, including possible territorial concessions demanded by Russia as a condition for ending the conflict. According to him, decisions of this type can only be taken at the level of heads of state.

In an interview with journalists, the Ukrainian leader believed that the meeting could not result in a final agreement, but said that both sides would try to “move forward as much as possible.”

He also said a 20-point peace plan, jointly developed by Ukrainian and U.S. officials, was “90 percent ready.” The document provides security guarantees for Ukraine and mechanisms for the country’s reconstruction after the war.

Among the main impasses are the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, under Russian control since the start of the conflict, and the creation of possible demilitarized zones along the front line, notably in the Donetsk region.