Trump hints at Ukraine trip, says, 'I don’t anticipate it, want to get deal done'

Trump Zelenskyy meeting

US President Donald Trump said peace negotiations aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war were "closer than ever before" following a “terrific meeting” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

When asked about a potential visit to Ukraine after a deal, Trump said, “I have no problem with doing it…” but added, “I don’t anticipate it. I would like to get the deal done and not necessarily have to go.”

Trump further expressed his willingness to speak to the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, stating, “I’ve offered to go and speak to their parliament, if that would help. I don’t know… I think it would probably help,” to which Zelenskyy responded, “You’re welcome!”

Trump, who pledged to seek a truce on the first day of his second term, cautioned that the talks remain complex and could still collapse, potentially prolonging the conflict for years.

Trump suggested that direct talks between the US, Ukraine, and Russia could be possible and said he is open to visiting Ukraine once an agreement is reached. He also offered to address Ukraine’s parliament if Zelenskyy deemed it helpful.

While speaking with Zelenskyy outside Mar-a-Lago, Trump reiterated his belief that both Moscow and Kyiv were interested in reaching a deal.

US President Donald Trump emphasized that his main priority is ending the fighting and saving lives. “I’m not sure that it would be really necessary (to visit Ukraine – ed.), but if it would help save 25,000 lives a month or whatever it may be, I would certainly be willing to do that,” he said.

The Ukrainian president expressed cautious openness to the revised US proposal, signaling Kyiv’s first clear acknowledgement of potential territorial concessions, which would require voter approval in a referendum.

Zelensky stated that the framework outlined by Trump was "90 per cent agreed" and that "US-Ukraine security guarantees [were] 100 per cent agreed."

He added that both sides are still finalising a “prosperity plan” for Ukraine and determining the sequencing of the proposed actions.