Zelensky says he plans to meet with Trump – DW – 12/26/2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday he has agreed to a meeting with US President Donald Trump in the “near future.”

“A lot can be decided before the New Year,” he posted on social media.

The announcement comes after weeks of diplomatic efforts to end Ukraine’s war with Russia.

On Thursday, Zelensky gave a positive assessment of his talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about ending the war.

This followed his presentation on Tuesday of a 20-point draft peace plan developed with US officials.

The draft marked a sharp change from earlier proposals, which would have forced Kiev to give up the region and abandon NATO ambitions.

It calls for security guarantees to prevent future Russian attacks and also includes measures to reconstruct Ukraine. It also demands Russia withdraw from several areas, including Kharkiv and Mykolaiv, while Ukraine will create a demilitarized zone in parts of Donetsk, but only if Moscow also responds.

However, the Kremlin, buoyed by battlefield gains, is unlikely to accept the deal. It said it was analyzing the proposals brought from the US.

President Vladimir Putin reiterated last week that Ukraine must give up Donetsk and Luhansk and refuse NATO membership.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered to boost missile production on a large scale.

He visited munitions factories and asked officials to expand capacity and build new plants to meet growing military demand, according to state media reports.

“The missile and shell production sector is of paramount importance in strengthening war deterrence,” Kim said, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Pyongyang has sharply increased missile tests in recent years, aiming to improve precision strikes and challenge the United States and South Korea. Analysts say the weapons are also being prepared for export to Russia.

Relations between North Korea and Russia have strengthened since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Pyongyang has supplied troops, artillery shells and rocket systems, while Russia provides financial aid, technology and food.

Could Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump meet before the New Year?

It seems that the Ukrainian president thinks so.

On Friday, Zelensky said he agreed to meet with his US counterpart, adding: “A lot can be decided before the New Year.”

Washington and Kiev appear close to finalizing a plan to end the war in Ukraine, although questions remain over Russia’s response and long-running disputes.

The White House meeting could seal the deal, or it could derail it, as happened earlier this year.

We will bring you the latest updates right here in this blog.