Ukraine’s future hinges on Western security guarantees, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on Dec. 27 as he was en route to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida to discuss a peace proposal.
Security guarantees for Ukraine will be at the forefront of these talks, Zelensky said. Without them, Ukraine cannot take any steps towards peace or hold presidential elections, which Trump's administration has pressured Zelensky to implement.
"If the American side raises the issue of a referendum or elections, this absolutely cannot take place under the conditions in which we are living today — particularly regarding air attacks," Zelensky said, adding that he is "politically ready" for elections.
"I'm not clinging to my chair," Zelensky said, answering journalists' questions through a WhatsApp group managed by his press service.
Before meeting Trump on Dec. 28, Zelensky will have a stopover in Canada to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and hold an online meeting with European leaders. Zelensky will present allies with his 20-point peace proposal, a revised version of a 28-point plan drafted in November by Trump’s negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The meeting with Trump will take place at his Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, at 3 p.m. EST, or 10 p.m. Kyiv time, on Dec. 28.
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