President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US counterpart Donald Trump have confirmed that they will meet in Florida over the weekend to discuss a 20-point plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
The meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. (8 p.m. GMT), the White House said late Friday.
Zelenskyy told journalists ahead of his trip to the US that the peace deal was about "90% ready."
However, he added two important caveats. Firstly, there were still "territorial issues" to be discussed. The Trump administration has been pushing for Ukraine to agree to permanently cede some Russia-captured territory to Moscow, something Zelenskyy has insisted is a red line for Ukraine.
Secondly, Zelenskyy expressed doubts as to whether Russia would agree to the plan or even sit down to discuss it.
The Ukrainian president said there would also be an "economic" element to the talks, hinting at another possible trade deal between Ukraine and the US. Earlier in the year, Trump repeatedly insulted Zelenskyy when the two were expected to sign a deal granting US access to Ukrainian rare earth minerals in the Oval Office.
Trump told Politico on Friday that he would have the final say on any peace proposal presented to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"He doesn't have anything until I approve it," Trump said of Zelenskyy in an interview with news outlet Politico. "So we'll see what he's got."
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to journalists that Russian government officials had been in contact with US authorities about the talks.
"It was agreed to continue the dialogue," was all he said on the matter.
Moscow has been pushing for Ukraine to give up its remaining territory in the Donbas region as a prerequisite for peace.
Russian forces control most of Luhansk and about 70% of Donetsk, which are the two areas that make up the Donbas.
Ahead of the meeting, Zelenskyy said he "would like the Europeans to be involved," but that the arrangement to meet in person had happened too quickly to arrange the participation of European leaders.
"We must, without doubt, find some format in the near future in which not only Ukraine and the US are present, but Europe is represented as well," he said.
The European Union has repeatedly insisted that no peace in Europe could be negotiated without European participation.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that she would join a call with Zelenskyy, Trump, and other officials on Saturday.
The Ukrainian president and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also signaled unity ahead of the Florida talks.
"We are coordinating our positions, and everyone in Europe must be on the same page in defending our European way of life, the independence of our states, and peace in Europe," Zelenskyy wrote on X. "There must be peace."
Merz replied on the same platform: "We stand unwaveringly by your side. A strong, coordinated European approach remains essential for peace, freedom, and security. The Berlin group is ready to help – closely coordinated with our US partners."
Curated by Marcus Thompson
