Trump Holds Phone Call with Putin Ahead of Summit
Describes Conversation as "Very Productive"
US President Donald Trump has initiated a bilateral summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss a peace plan aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. While he stated that strong security guarantees for Ukraine would be included in the end-of-war proposal, he refrained from providing specific details.
US President Donald Trump (right) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
On December 28 (local time), President Trump began the summit with President Zelensky at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, United States.
Welcoming President Zelensky, he said, "I believe there is a high possibility that an agreement will be reached," adding, "A security agreement will be signed, and it will be a strong agreement." He further stated, "I believe the negotiations are entering their final stage."
However, President Trump remarked, "No one knows what will be included in the security agreement," suggesting that the United States has not yet presented a strong security guarantee for Ukraine. He emphasized, "All European countries want a peace agreement," but also warned, "If the war does not end, or if it continues for a long time, millions more could lose their lives."
President Zelensky expressed his gratitude for President Trump's mediation and stated that the summit would address key issues related to the peace plan, including the potential for territorial concessions by Ukraine. The Ukrainian side is expected to finalize the details of a 20-point peace plan, prepared in consultation with the United States, and then deliver it to Russia.
The main point of contention in the current end-of-war discussions is the territorial issue. Russia is demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from eastern Donetsk and the cession of territory in the Donbas region, while Ukraine is insisting on a ceasefire based on the current front lines. The United States has stepped in to mediate by proposing a compromise: the establishment of a demilitarized zone and a free economic zone in parts of Donetsk currently controlled by Ukraine, in an effort to narrow the gap between the two sides.
Prior to this summit, President Zelensky met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and held a series of phone calls with European leaders, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, to coordinate positions. President Trump stated that after his meeting with President Zelensky, he also plans to hold additional calls with President Putin and European leaders.
Recently, President Trump has increased his mediation efforts by pressuring Ukraine to make concessions for peace negotiations, while also suggesting the possibility of economic cooperation with Russia. President Zelensky has repeatedly stated that Ukraine is prepared to agree to a ceasefire to create conditions for negotiations, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused, insisting that a ceasefire without a concrete agreement is unacceptable.
Meanwhile, President Trump announced that he had a "very productive and good phone call" with President Putin prior to the summit. It appears that they exchanged views on the end-of-war proposal to be discussed with President Zelensky. The Russian side also reported that President Trump spoke with President Putin for about 1 hour and 15 minutes that day, and that the two leaders are expected to speak again after the summit with President Zelensky concludes.
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