Former US President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago for critical discussions on ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which Trump described as being at a “make-or-break moment.” He presented two potential outcomes: a swift resolution or a prolonged conflict with dire human costs.
“It will either end, or it is going to go on for a long time, and millions of additional people are going to be killed,” Trump told reporters, emphasizing the high stakes. He conveyed a sense of progress, reporting that a recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin was “very productive” and that both leaders “want to make a deal.”
Trump suggested that the essential components of a peace agreement are emerging and expressed optimism about securing a deal that benefits Ukraine and the broader international community. He highlighted the courage of President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people during this arduous period.
The meeting, attended by several key US officials, occurs in the shadow of a recent deadly Russian attack on Kyiv, underscoring the imperative for diplomacy. Trump indicated that further engagement with President Putin is planned post-summit to navigate the intricate path toward peace, potentially involving European nations in a security arrangement. His focus remains singularly on concluding the conflict.