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Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin had a conversation ahead of the Sunday Florida meeting
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, for over an hour by phone, shortly before Trump's scheduled meeting on Sunday with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky in Miami.
Zelensky, who faces another corruption scandal implicating lawmakers that erupted over the weekend, is following up on days of negotiations in Florida between Ukrainian and US negotiators on a potential deal to end the Ukraine conflict.
Trump announced on his Truth Social that he had had a “very productive” conversation, while the Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said that both “hold broadly similar views” and that a temporary ceasefire would only prolong the conflict.
A 20-point proposal revealed by Zelensky ahead of the meeting has been dismissed by Moscow, which called it “radically different” from what Russia and the US had discussed on the issue. Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that Moscow was “fully” ready to move forward with the peace process while Kiev and its European backers seek to derail it.
Trump has invited media representatives to attend the meeting, and our updates will follow events and reactions.
28 December 2025
18:46 GMT
The US and Russian presidents have “similar views” when it comes to the temporary ceasefire proposal pushed forward by Kiev and its European backers, Ushakov has said. Both Trump and Putin believe it would only prolong the conflict and could potentially lead to the resumption of hostilities, according to the aide.
A “responsible” political decision by Kiev is needed for a permanent settlement, Ushakov said, adding that it should involve the Donbass territories and align with the understandings reached by Moscow and Washington.
18:45 GMT
Trump spoke about some impressive economic cooperation opportunities that would open up for Russia and the US once the Ukraine conflict is over, Ushakov has said. The American president also said that he was convinced Moscow is seeking a political and diplomatic solution to the conflict.
The two leaders exchanged New Year’s greetings and wished happiness to the Russian and American people, according to the aide.
18:45 GMT
The Russian and American presidents have agreed to talk again after Trump’s meeting with Zelensky, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov told journalists after the phone call. The initial call took place at the initiative of the US, he said, adding that Trump wanted to discuss the current situation with his Russian counterpart. They talked for an hour and 15 minutes, according to the aide.
18:42 GMT
Trump has just welcomed Zelensky to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump has just welcomed PRESIDENT ZELENSKY to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, FloridaThis is a HUGE meeting toward ending the Russia-Ukraine warTRUMP: “Too many people are DYING! I think both presidents want to make a deal.”Trump's team was even negotiating… pic.twitter.com/7JRPgh2X62
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 28, 2025
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