Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued an update on what he will be discussing with U.S. President Donald Trump today after Russian airstrikes hammered Kyiv.
He said: “Security must be ensured by the world’s strongest powers, and we will be discussing this in particular today and tomorrow with European leaders, with the Prime Minister of Canada, and with the President of the United States.”
Ukraine’s leader later added: “We are working with the United States on the roadmap for Ukraine’s prosperity. Our vision, together with the United States, extends to 2040, covering the key elements of an agreement on investment and future prosperity.
“The main aspects and directions are our national goals, life expectancy, the return of refugees, GDP per capita, new jobs, security guarantees, and then the direction of access to markets, and accession to the European Union. We have goals and strategies for macroeconomic stability. We estimate that reconstruction will require approximately 700–800 billion.”
Why It Matters
Zelensky is heading to Florida to meet Trump for pivotal discussions on a potential peace settlement with Russia, following a devastating wave of missile and drone attacks that left a third of Kyiv without heat and power.
The attacks—which killed at least two people and injured dozens, according to Ukrainian authorities—have underscored the urgency of diplomatic efforts and highlighted ongoing security challenges as Ukraine presses for stronger international guarantees to end nearly four years of war.
What To Know
Russian forces launched a sustained assault on Kyiv starting about 1:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, with nearly 500 drones and approximately 40 missiles targeting civilian and energy infrastructure, according to Ukrainian officials.
Air raid sirens prompted residents to shelter for almost 10 hours, and significant parts of the capital remained without heating as temperatures hovered near freezing.
Zelensky condemned the attacks, posting on social media: “Russian representatives engage in lengthy talks, but in reality, Kinzhals and ‘shaheds’ speak for them. This is the true attitude of Putin and his inner circle. They do not want to end the war and seek to use every opportunity to cause Ukraine even greater suffering.”
He added that diplomacy was impossible without effective and timely air defense, saying: “Supplies for air defense must be sufficient and timely, especially now, when we need them most. There must be no delays in protecting lives… Diplomacy will not work without security.”
The Ukrainian leader has since posted a series of lengthy social media posts outlining his “shared vision with the United States.”
He said: “There will be a Ukraine Building Fund, a sovereign investment platform of Ukraine, a Ukraine Development Fund, and a Fund for Ukraine’s Growth and Opportunities.”
He added in a different post: “Ukraine did not start this war. Russia started it. Ukraine supported President Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire. Ukraine has agreed to many different compromises, and this is documented in our draft agreements, in our 20-point plan. Ukraine is willing to do whatever it takes to stop this war.”
Zelensky is expected to meet this weekend with Trump in Florida to finalize a 20-point peace plan, which reportedly includes provisions for U.S. and European security guarantees for Ukraine and a proposed economic zone in the contested Donbas region.
However, significant issues—such as the status of Russian-held territories and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant—remain unsettled.
A nationwide referendum would need to be held on the entire peace plan, Zelensky said.
He said: “We must work toward having a minimum of unresolved issues. Of course, today there are red lines for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. There are compromise proposals. All of these issues are very sensitive. This includes territories and the Zaporizhzhia NPP. If there is an update of approaches, certainly, before this or that decision, we will communicate with our people, because the people of Ukraine have the final say. It’s either a referendum or certain legislative changes.
“The most important thing is security guarantees. Besides territorial issues and the Zaporizhzhia NPP, there are security guarantees that are very important for us.”
What People Are Saying
Zelensky said: “If Russia turns even the Christmas and New Year period into a time of destroyed homes and burned apartments, of ruined power plants, then this sick activity can only be responded to with truly strong steps. The United States has this capability. Europe has this capability. Many of our partners have this capability. The key is to use it.”
Zelensky also told reporters that the 20-point plan was 90 percent complete: “Our task is to make sure everything is 100 percent ready.”
On the eve of the talks, Trump said: “Zelensky doesn’t have anything until I approve it. I think they want to do it now, and I think that Russia wants to do it. But every time one wants to do it, the other doesn’t.”
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said: “Russia’s only response to peace efforts is brutal attacks using hundreds of drones and missiles against Kyiv and other cities and regions.”
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said: “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. Without an adequate resolution of the problems at the origin of this crisis, it will be quite simply impossible to reach a definitive accord.”
What Happens Next
While the 20-point framework is reportedly nearing completion, both U.S. and Russian officials suggest significant hurdles remain, particularly security guarantees, territorial status, and the future of critical infrastructure like the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
Zelensky has also indicated he would require a nationwide referendum to approve any deal, provided security conditions allow. Western leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, are actively engaged in parallel discussions, emphasizing the global stake in Ukraine’s future.
Update 12/27/25 09:00 a.m. E.T. This article was updated with more information, quotes and context.
Update 12/27/25 12:22 p.m. E.T. This article was updated with more quotes.