ClosePresident Donald Trump has said that Volodymyr Zelensky “doesn’t have anything until I approve it” ahead of long-awaited peace talks between the leaders on Sunday.
“He doesn't have anything until I approve it,” Mr Trump reportedly told Politico regarding the Ukrainian leader’s proposal in an exclusive interview. “So we'll see what he's got.”
The US leader appeared warmer about Russia’s president Vladimir Putin, saying: “I think it’s going to go good with him. I think it’s going to go good with [Vladimir] Putin,” adding that he would speak to him “soon, as much as I want”.
Mr Zelensky confirmed that he will meet with Mr Trump on Sunday in the latest push to secure a peace deal before the New Year.
The Ukrainian president said he would travel to Mar-A-Lago to meet with the leader at his personal residence and that his peace agreement was “90 per cent ready”.
Earlier, he had hinted at progress on a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, following a “really good conversation” with Mr Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff on Christmas Day.
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Full story:Zelensky to meet Trump for high-stakes talks in Mar-a-Lago in bid to seal peace deal by new year
Volodymyr Zelensky will meet US president Donald Trump at his residence in Florida on Sunday for crucial talks amid growing optimism in Kyiv that a peace deal may be nearing completion.
The Ukrainian president announced on Friday that he would meet Mr Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort to discuss critical stumbling blocks, including territorial disputes and security guarantees.
“This meeting is specifically for the purpose of finalising everything as much as we can,” Mr Zelensky said on Friday, adding that “a lot can be decided before the new year”.
Alex Croft reports:
Zelensky to meet Trump in Mar-a-Lago in attempt to ‘finalise’ peace deal on Sunday
European leaders may take part online as Zelensky looks to ‘finalise’ an agreement he says is ‘90% completed’Maira Butt26 December 2025 22:00
Canada affirms 'commitment to Ukraine' throughout peace talks
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday amid ongoing peace talks to bring an end to the war with Russia, according to a statement by his office.
“The Prime Minister affirmed Canada's commitment to Ukraine throughout these negotiations and emphasised the need to maintain pressure on Russia to negotiate,” the statement said.
Maira Butt26 December 2025 21:00
Trump insists Zelensky 'doesn't have anything until I approve' ahead of peace talks on Sunday
President Donald Trump has reasserted his dominance over peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, insisting that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky “doesn’t have anything” until the American leader approves.
“He doesn’t have anything until I approve it,” Mr Trump told Politico. “So we’ll see what he’s got.”
About his dialogue with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Trump added: “I think it’s going to go good with him. I think it’s going to go good with [Vladimir] Putin,” adding that he expects to speak to him “soon, as much as I want.”
Zelensky and Trump are due to meet on Sunday, with the Ukrainian leader hinting at progress after a “good conversation” with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Maira Butt26 December 2025 20:32
Key issues unresolved in US-Ukraine talks on ending Russia's war, according to Zelensky
Several key issues remain unresolved in ongoing negotiations between Ukraine and the United States over a potential framework to end Russia’s war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last week.
Speaking about a 20-point plan under discussion, Zelenskyy outlined the most difficult points, noting that Ukraine has already conveyed its position to Washington, which is expected to communicate it to Moscow.
Key issues unresolved in US-Ukraine talks on ending Russia's war, according to Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says several key issues remain unresolved in negotiations with the United States over a framework to end Russia’s warMaira Butt26 December 2025 20:00
Russia accuses Europe of trying to 'torpedo' peace talks
Russia’s deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov accused Europe of trying to “torpedo” a peace agreement on Friday.
The comments come ahead of talks between US president Donald Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday.
“Our ability to make the final push and reach an agreement will depend on our own work and the political will of the other party,” Ryabkov said on Russian television about the deal.
“Especially in a context where Kyiv and its sponsors – notably within the European Union, who are not in favour of an agreement – have stepped up efforts to torpedo it.”
Maira Butt26 December 2025 19:30
Putin's aide spoke to US officials by phone, Kremlin says
Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed his foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, to speak to US members of the administration after Moscow received US proposals about a possible Ukrainian peace deal, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev brought paper copies of US peace proposals back to Moscow after a meeting in Miami at the weekend – and the details were being analysed by the Kremlin, Peskov said.
"The information was analysed, and on behalf of President Putin, contact took place between representatives of the administrations of Russia and the United States," Peskov said. "It was agreed to continue the dialogue."
Maira Butt26 December 2025 19:00
Ukraine used British missiles to strike Russian oil refinery
Ukraine announced that it used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to strike the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia's Rostov region.
Officials said that the targeted refinery was a major producer of petrol products and directly supplied the Russian Federation’s armed forces.
Maira Butt26 December 2025 18:35
Zelensky ready to call referendum on Trump plan if Russia agrees ceasefire
President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to call a referendum on President Donald Trump’s peace plan if Russia agrees a ceasefire, the Ukrainian leader told Axios on Friday.
It comes ahead of a meeting between the US leader and Zelensky on Sunday when they will hope to agree on a proposal to end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Maira Butt26 December 2025 18:00
In pictures: Zelensky awards military honours to Ukrainian soldiers and families of 'fallen heroes'
Maira Butt26 December 2025 17:30
'Moscow always lies' says Zelensky as he awards military honours
President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued special honours for Ukrainian military personnel as he hit out at Russian president Vladimir Putin and Moscow for “lies”.
In recent weeks Ukraine has claimed victory over significant parts of Kupiansk, a hotly contested region, but its success has been continuously denied by Russia.
“In recent weeks, I have heard partners thank us numerous times for Kupiansk – for our operation that restores faith in Ukraine and proves that Putin lies,” said Zelensky in a post on X/Twitter on Friday.
“It is clear to us that Moscow always lies; the world, however, must see at all times what is false and what is true. Our warriors know how to show the truth – know how to prove that Russia is wrong in this war, and that Ukraine’s partners are right in supporting our state and our people.”
The Ukrainian leader awarded the Orders of the Golden Star and the Crosses of Military Merit to the “warriors” of Ukraine’s Security and Defense Forces, and presented the awards to the families of dead soldiers who were honored posthumously.
Maira Butt26 December 2025 17:00NewerOlder