Published: 09:24, December 27, 2025 | Updated: 09:46, December 27, 2025
Zelensky says to meet Trump on security guarantees for Ukraine
By Xinhua
US President Donald Trump (right) meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept 23, 2025. (PHOTO / AP)

KYIV/WASHINGTON - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that he plans to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine during his upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Zelensky told reporters that the meeting is scheduled to take place in the US state of Florida on Sunday, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

He added that Ukraine intends to raise the questions of territorial issues and control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant during the talks.

According to Zelensky, the 20-point peace plan is 90 percent ready and several documents outlining security guarantees have been drafted.

Zelensky said there are four sides to the peace plan, namely, Ukraine, the United States, Russia and Europe, adding that the document can not be signed without Russia and Europe. 

ALSO READ: Ukraine says latest peace talks with US, Europe ‘productive’

Zelensky "doesn't have anything until I approve it", Trump said in an exclusive interview with Politico on Friday.

The two leaders are expected to discuss the framework of a new 20-point peace plan including a proposed demilitarized zone, the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, territorial control of Donbas, and US security guarantees after the conflict comes to an end. 

Peace plan for referendum

Also on Friday, Zelensky said Friday he is willing to bring a peace plan to end the Ukraine crisis for a referendum if Russia agrees to a ceasefire of at least 60 days, according to US media outlet Axios.

In a phone interview with Axios on Friday, Zelensky said he would still like to negotiate a better position on territory. But if the plan demands "a very difficult" decision on that issue, he believes the best path forward will be to put the entire 20-point plan to a referendum.

He said a 60-day ceasefire to arrange and hold the vote "is the minimum", as such a plebiscite would have major political, logistical and security complications.

A senior US official told Axios that the Russians understand the need for a ceasefire if Zelensky calls a referendum, but want a shorter timetable.

Zelensky said he hopes to agree with Trump on a framework for ending the crisis when they meet in the US state of Florida on Sunday.

He said most aspects of the bilateral US-Ukraine agreements are now set and have been codified into five documents, though a sixth may be added.

On the duration of security guarantees after peace is restored in Ukraine, the US administration has proposed a 15-year pact that could be renewed. "I think we need more than 15 years," Zelensky told Axios.

Both the United States and Ukraine would bring the security guarantees before their legislatures for ratification, Zelensky added.

Zelensky, Trump and a group of European leaders are expected to hold a conference call on Saturday to get everyone up to speed on the talks, the report said, citing a Ukrainian official.

Explosions heard in Kyiv 

Several explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early on Saturday.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, urged residents to stay in safe places amid the blasts, according to local media.