Miami: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “doesn’t have anything until I approve it,” U.S. President Donald Trump stated during an exclusive interview with Politico on Friday. This declaration comes just two days before a scheduled meeting between the two leaders in Florida to discuss a peace plan aimed at resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has persisted for nearly four years.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the discussions are set to focus on a new 20-point peace plan. This plan includes proposals for a demilitarized zone, management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, control of the Donbas region, and U.S. security guarantees following the conflict’s conclusion. Zelensky’s proposal for a demilitarized zone hinges on Russia withdrawing its forces from a designated area in Donetsk.
Trump expressed optimism about the upcoming meeting, stating, “So we’ll see what he’s got. I think it’s going to go good with him. I think it’s going to go good with Putin.” Trump also mentioned his intentio
n to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon.
The remarks highlight the significant role of the United States in determining the outcome of the Ukraine conflict. Politico noted that Ukraine’s fate largely depends on convincing Trump that enough concessions are being made to satisfy him, especially given his occasional inclination to favor Russia if it could lead to ending the war.
In a related development, Zelensky indicated his willingness to present the peace plan to a referendum if Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire. During a phone interview with Axios, Zelensky stated his desire to negotiate a better position on territorial issues. However, he acknowledged that if a challenging decision is necessary, a referendum might be the most appropriate course of action.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov commented on the 20-point plan, noting that it significantly differs from agreements previously reached between Washington and Moscow. Ryabkov, quoted by Russian news agency Int
erfax, remarked on the stark differences, suggesting discrepancies between the plans discussed with the United States and those proposed by Ukraine.