Ukraine’s Zelensky will meet Trump to discuss a new 20-point peace plan, as Russia accuses Kyiv and the EU of trying to torpedo the negotiations.
KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet US President Donald Trump in Florida this weekend to discuss new proposals to end the war.
Russia accused Zelensky and his European Union backers on Friday of seeking to “torpedo” the US-brokered peace plan.
The meeting on Sunday follows Trump’s intensified efforts to broker an agreement on Europe’s worst conflict since World War II.
Zelensky revealed details this week of a new 20-point proposal that would freeze the war on its current front lines.
The plan could see Ukraine pull troops back from the east, where demilitarised buffer zones might be created.
Trump told Politico that Zelensky “doesn’t have anything until I approve it” regarding the plan.
Zelensky held calls with NATO’s Mark Rutte, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, and other European leaders ahead of the diplomatic push.
A UK spokesperson said leaders reiterated an “unshakeable commitment for a just and lasting peace for Ukraine”.
The new plan marks Kyiv’s most explicit acknowledgement yet of possible territorial concessions.
It differs from an initial 28-point US proposal last month that adhered to many of Russia’s core demands.
Part of the plan includes separate US-Ukraine agreements on security guarantees, reconstruction, and the economy.
Zelensky said the documents on security guarantees were changing daily.
He said Sunday’s talks would cover Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Russia signalled its opposition to the plan ahead of the Florida talks.
Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov criticised Zelensky’s stance on Russian television.
“Our ability to make the final push and reach an agreement will depend on our own work and the political will of the other party,” Ryabkov said.
He accused Kyiv and its EU sponsors of stepping up efforts to sabotage an agreement.
Ryabkov said the Zelensky-input proposal “differs radically” from points initially drawn up by US and Russian officials.
He stated any deal must remain within limits set by Trump and Putin at their Alaska meeting in August.
Zelensky said disagreements remain with Washington over territory and the status of the Zaporizhzhia plant.
Washington has pushed Ukraine to withdraw from the 20% of Donetsk it still controls.
It has also proposed joint US-Ukrainian-Russian control of the seized Zaporizhzhia plant.
Zelensky said he could only cede more land if approved by a Ukrainian referendum.
He also opposes Russian participation in controlling the nuclear facility.
The new plan reportedly removes a requirement for Kyiv to legally renounce its NATO bid.
Previous clauses recognising territory seized since 2014 as Russian have also been removed.
Moscow has shown little inclination to abandon demands for a full Ukrainian withdrawal from Donbas.
Russia also wants a ban on Western peacekeepers and sweeping political restrictions.
Zelensky said Ukrainian negotiators are not in direct contact with Moscow.
He said the United States is acting as an intermediary awaiting Russia’s response.
“I think we will know their official response in the coming days,” Zelensky said.
He expressed scepticism over whether Moscow genuinely wants to halt its invasion.
“Russia is always looking for reasons not to agree,” he said.
