Trump welcomes Zelenskyy for talks, asserts Russia and Ukraine both want peace, however elusive

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By WILL WEISSERT, SEUNG MIN KIM and ELISE MORTON
Updated 1:27 PM CST, December 28, 2025
Leer en español

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump said Sunday he believes both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin truly want peace, as he welcomed the “brave” Ukrainian leader for talks at his Florida resort.

“The two leaders want it to end,” Trump said at the outset of the meeting at Mar-a-Lago. Before Zelenskyy arrived, Trump spoke with Putin by phone for more than an hour, and planned to speak with him again soon after.

Greeting Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago, Trump said of him: “This gentleman has worked very hard, and is very brave, and his people are very brave.”

Zelenskyy, by Trump’s side, said he’d discuss issues of territorial concessions with Trump, which have so far been a red line for his country. He said his negotiators and Trump’s “have discussed how to move step by step and bring peace closer” and would continue to do so in the meeting.



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-russia-ukraine-war-florida-42c38dbb3eecc22dd80271d504308337

[Deuxcents]

1. Blowing smoke up Ukraine's dream of freedom..TSF playing both sides for his benefit

President Z would do better with an honest broker and the current administration is not that broker

[Lovie777]

2. Pres Z already knows....

went to Canada before going to the trashy golf course.

Apparently the Nazis are trying to secure Florida as their base of so called dealings. Screw D.C.

Texas must be jealous.

[bluestarone]

3. Hell wou;ldn't surprise me if pooty attack even if peace deal is signed.

Plus TSF won/t care a bit. DO NOT TRUST these BASTARDS!!

[Igel]

4. Yes, both do.

One says, "Let us do what we want, we're not going to bother you--leave us in peace!"

And the other says, "Submit and you will find peace with us. Otherwise, you'll be subject to war."

[tavernier]

5. I won't feel good about him being at Mar-a-Lago until after he leaves

And is gone for a month without coming down with some strange illness. I’m sure Putin wants him dead and would like to figure out a way to make that happen even if it means involving Trump.

[Boomerproud]

6. These quotes by djt were said with a straight face

and reported unquestionably? Didn't Putin say just yesterday he was willing to go to war with the EU? Sounds like peace to me.

[duckworth969]

7. Prez Z needs to stop coming to the States

It is NOT safe for him to be here!

[tavernier]

8. I think Zelensky figured out exactly what was going on

as soon as he entered the Mar-a-Lago convalescence center. His little smile spoke volumes.

[Skittles]

10. I noticed that too

JFC, FUCK ANYONE WHO EVER FUCKING VOTED FOR DONALD FUCKING TRUMP, HE DISGRACES AMERICA EVERY FUCKING DAY

[Skittles]

9. it just pains me to think Donald Fucking Trump is involved in this

POS PUTIN PUPPET, UGH

[DallasNE]

11. I Didn't See The Needle Move

That is because the conditions on the ground have barely budged, and until one side gains leverage, the needle will not budge. That is why I have said that these peace talks are a waste of time, creating delay, which plays into Putin's hands. Ukraine needs more weapons, especially long-range weapons. And they need more air-defense systems. It is past time that Trump provides Ukraine the weapons it needs. Let's get her done now. Maybe then would be a good time to open discussions on ending the war.