In a significant development for international diplomacy, US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to engage in separate talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky in the coming days. The revelation came during an exclusive interview with the news website Politico, where Trump expressed optimism about the potential outcomes of these high-stakes conversations.
Trump's Diplomatic Outlook
President Trump confirmed that he expects to speak with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, soon. He publicly shared his hope that the discussion would yield favorable results. "I think it's going to go good with [Vladimir] Putin," Trump stated during the interview. This planned dialogue signals a potential shift in the diplomatic channel between Washington and Moscow, which has been strained over various global issues, most notably the conflict in Ukraine.
Simultaneously, the American leader disclosed his desire to connect with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this very week. Trump mirrored his optimistic tone regarding this upcoming engagement, saying, "I think it's going to go good with him (Zelensky)." The scheduling of these talks underscores the United States' continued, and perhaps intensified, involvement in seeking a resolution to the ongoing war in Eastern Europe.
Zelensky's Agenda for the Florida Meeting
The announcement follows a statement from President Zelensky himself. Early on Saturday, December 27, 2025 (Philippine Time), Zelensky outlined the critical topics he intends to raise during his face-to-face meeting with Trump. That meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 29, in Florida.
According to Zelensky, the agenda for the talks is expected to be weighty and focused on core territorial and security concerns. Key points for discussion include:
- The status of Ukrainian territories, with a likely focus on the contested Donbas region.
- The potential for a withdrawal of Ukrainian military forces from the Donbass area.
- The situation surrounding the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), a facility that has been a persistent flashpoint for safety and security concerns since the conflict began.
Implications for Global Politics
The planned diplomatic flurry involving the leaders of the United States, Russia, and Ukraine places the conflict in Ukraine squarely back at the top of the global agenda. Trump's parallel outreach to both Putin and Zelensky suggests a potential mediating role, though the specific strategy remains unclear. The international community will be watching closely to see if these conversations can create momentum towards de-escalation or even a framework for future negotiations.
The outcomes of these discussions could have profound consequences for the security architecture of Europe, the future of Ukraine's sovereignty, and the broader balance of power. The mention of troop movements and control of a major nuclear facility by Zelensky highlights the urgent and high-risk nature of the issues at hand.
