Trump Teases Talk With Putin Ahead Of Meeting With Zelenskyy As Peace Efforts Continue | World News

US President Donald Trump said he expects to meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin soon, ahead of his expected meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida on Sunday, as international efforts to end the four-year war continue.

Speaking in an interview with Politico on Friday, Trump expressed confidence about possible talks with the Russian leader, adding that he would like to talk to Putin in the near future.

“I think it’ll go well with him. I think it’ll go well [Vladimir] Trump told Politico that he expects to talk to Putin “soon, as much as I want.”

The remarks came after Zelenskyy confirmed his meeting in Florida on Sunday with the US President, who is serving as a mediator in peace talks to end the war.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, CNN reported, Zelenskyy said the meeting could help bring the disputes closer to a solution, but warned that a final agreement should not be expected immediately.

He also stated that both sides will focus on resolving as many outstanding issues as possible.

Zelenskyy also said that the 20-item peace plan proposed by US and Ukrainian officials is 90 percent ready and that the talks with Trump will focus on long-term security guarantees for Ukraine and the role of its allies in ensuring post-war stability, according to CNN.

But during the interview, Trump said any peace deal between Ukraine and Russia would depend on his approval.

“You have nothing until I approve it,” Trump said. “So we’ll see what he’s got,” he added in an interview with Politico.

Trump and Putin last spoke by phone in October; The White House said the meeting was “very good and productive” and lasted “more than two hours.”

During the meeting, Putin congratulated Trump on the ceasefire reached on the Gaza issue.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “It was a very good and productive meeting. It lasted more than two hours. A variety of topics were discussed, and President Putin congratulated President Trump for resolving the issues between Israel and Gaza and bringing peace to the Middle East… President Trump thinks great progress has been made on this call.” he said.

Earlier this month, Putin’s top adviser Yuri Ushakov held nearly five hours of talks with U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about efforts to advance peace talks on Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the capital of Kiev was subjected to a large-scale missile and drone attack overnight on 27 December; A day before the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy, several explosions were reported in the Ukrainian capital and surrounding areas.

The capital was hit by a large-scale ballistic missile attack as Russia launched several Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, four Iskander ballistic missiles and several Kalibr cruise missiles into the city, Kiev Independent reported, citing monitoring sources.

Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the attack in a post on Telegram and called on residents to stay in shelters.

“There are explosions in the capital. Air defense forces are working. Stay in shelters!” he wrote.