KYIV — In a recent phone conversation, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of attempting to attack one of his residences, a claim that Ukrainian leaders have firmly denied. They dismissed the allegation as a diversion from ongoing peace negotiations and a potential excuse for further Russian military actions. This exchange of accusations occurred just a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with former U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida, where they discussed a new 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the protracted conflict.
During a press briefing, Trump conveyed his disapproval of the situation, stating, “I don’t like it. That’s not good.” He indicated that he learned about the alleged attack from Putin and remarked on the delicate nature of the current peace efforts, cautioning that this was not an opportune moment for escalating tensions. Trump also reiterated his previous stance on Ukraine’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles, stating, “I stopped the Tomahawks; I didn’t want that.”
Moscow has yet to provide any substantiating evidence to support its claims about the alleged attack, and the CIA has refrained from commenting on the matter. Meanwhile, President Zelensky took to Telegram to assert that Russia’s narrative was a fabricated excuse aimed at justifying ongoing military actions against Ukraine.
The discussions between Trump and Zelensky focused on refining the peace proposal, which aims to secure robust security guarantees for Ukraine akin to NATO’s collective defense commitments. Trump described his meeting with Zelensky as “terrific” and expressed optimism about the potential for achieving peace. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that unresolved issues remained, which could hamper progress.
Ukrainian officials have voiced concerns regarding the proposed security guarantees’ duration, suggesting that longer commitments—potentially extending up to 50 years—would provide stronger assurances against future aggression from Russia. Trump has indicated a willingness to consider these extended guarantees, directly addressing Zelensky’s concerns.
As the negotiations advance, the nature of control over Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant continues to be a significant sticking point. Russia has yet to integrate the facility into its energy grid, and experts warn of the risks posed by the precarious situation at the plant, exacerbated by military activity in the region.
In a notable shift, Zelensky has started to entertain proposals for establishing a demilitarized or “free economic zone” in the eastern Donbas region, potentially allowing for troop withdrawals from parts of the contested area. However, this initiative remains contingent on reciprocal actions from Russia, which has maintained its stance on territorial issues.
Compounding the complexity of the situation is the ongoing military conflict, with recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and widespread power outages. Zelensky highlighted these attacks during his meeting with Trump, stating the contradiction in Putin’s messages of seeking peace while simultaneously escalating hostilities.
Despite the current challenges, both Zelensky and Trump appear resolutely committed to pursuing diplomatic solutions, underscoring a shared belief that peace is still an attainable goal despite the hurdles ahead.