President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Sunday, signaling what Trump described as meaningful progress toward ending the war in Ukraine through renewed diplomatic engagement.
Following the meeting, Trump characterized the talks as productive and emphasized that discussions are advancing faster than at any point since the conflict began. He pointed to recent diplomatic outreach, including direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as a key factor in moving negotiations forward.
“We had a terrific meeting. We discussed a lot of things,” Trump said. “As you know, I had an excellent phone call with President Putin, and I do think we’re getting a lot closer.”
Renewed focus on ending the conflict
Trump underscored that his primary motivation is ending the ongoing loss of life caused by the war, which has stretched on for years and resulted in widespread destruction.
“Everybody wants it ended,” Trump said. “I want it ended because I don’t want to see so many people dying.”
The president has repeatedly argued that sustained diplomatic engagement, rather than prolonged military escalation, offers the most realistic path toward a durable resolution.
Trump details talks with Putin
Trump revealed that he recently held an extensive phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing it as substantive and focused on core issues surrounding the conflict.
“I was on the phone with him for almost two-and-a-half hours,” Trump said. “We discussed a lot of things. We didn’t talk about the weather.”
According to Trump, the call represented a significant step toward narrowing differences that have previously stalled peace efforts.
Progress in peace negotiations
Addressing the status of negotiations directly, Trump expressed confidence that a breakthrough could be near, while acknowledging that some challenges remain.
“We could be very close,” Trump said. “There are one or two very thorny issues, very tough issues, but I think we’re doing very well. We made a lot of progress today.”
Trump told Zelenskyy that negotiations appear closer to resolution than at any previous point, citing engagement from all relevant parties.
“I really believe we’re probably closer than ever before with both parties,” Trump said.
Willingness to take personal role
Trump also addressed speculation about whether he might travel to Ukraine if doing so would help accelerate a peace agreement. He indicated that he would consider such a step if it would meaningfully reduce casualties.
“I’m not sure that it would be really necessary,” Trump said, “but if it would help save tens of thousands of lives, I would certainly be willing to do that.”
Contrasting approaches to Ukraine policy
The meeting comes as Trump intensifies efforts to resolve the conflict, drawing a contrast between his diplomatic approach and the policies pursued under the previous administration. Trump and his allies have criticized years of prolonged stalemate, escalating aid packages, and what they describe as an absence of clear diplomatic objectives.
Supporters of Trump’s approach argue that direct negotiation and firm leadership offer a clearer path toward ending the war, while reducing long-term costs and global instability.
Zelenskyy responds to meeting
Following the meeting, President Zelenskyy publicly expressed appreciation for the discussions and for continued engagement with the United States.
“I thank President Trump and his team for the negotiations,” Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X. “I thank the United States for its support. Together, we must — and can — implement our vision for the sequencing of steps toward peace.”
Upcoming diplomatic engagements
Trump’s diplomatic efforts continue this week. He is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago to discuss regional security and potential pathways toward stability in the Middle East.
The back-to-back meetings highlight Trump’s broader push to reassert U.S. diplomatic leadership on major global conflicts, with an emphasis on negotiation, leverage, and ending prolonged wars.