Trump met with Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago

Washington (dpa) — US President Donald Trump has welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his private residence in Florida, where the two are holding talks on efforts to end the war launched by Russia.

The pair shook hands and fielded questions from the press before stepping inside the Mar-a-Lago resort.

Both leaders said they believed progress had been made in the latest push toward an agreement, with Trump saying he believed Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin were “serious” about making peace.

Trump added that he would call Putin again after the meeting, having already held a phone call with the Russian leader earlier on Sunday.

At a press conference following the talks at Trump’s private residence Mar-a-Lago, the US leader said an agreement could be reached in “maybe a few weeks.”

Zelensky meanwhile thanked Trump for a “really great discussion” and said their “teams will meet in upcoming weeks to finalize all discussed matters.”

In addition, Zelensky said Trump would host a summit with European leaders in Washington, likely in January.

The meeting came as part of the latest diplomatic push to end the war launched by Russia in February 2022.

Trump earlier said he believed Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin were “serious” about making peace.

The US president added that he would call Putin again after the meeting with Zelensky, having already held a phone call with the Russian leader earlier on Sunday.

Zelensky has been seeking Washington’s backing for a 20-point framework after the Trump administration in late November unveiled a 28-point proposal that unsettled Kiev and its allies by echoing several Russian positions.

Kiev and European partners have since worked on the alternative plan, including during recent meetings in Berlin and Miami with senior Trump administration officials, while Washington has also held separate talks with Moscow.