In a move that could shift the very ground beneath the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to meet U.S. President Donald Trump this Sunday in Florida. The stakes couldn't be higher. Both leaders are set to discuss a U.S.-brokered 20-point peace plan aimed at ending Russia's aggressive war. But will it be enough?

The Sunday meeting is expected to center around not only this peace plan but also separate proposals for U.S. security guarantees. As negotiations continue, Russia's Kremlin reports that President Vladimir Putin's senior aide has been involved in additional talks with U.S. officials by phone. Russia claims there's been 'slow but steady progress,' though they remain tight-lipped on Zelensky's offer to pull back troops from Eastern Donbas if Russia does the same.

A Balancing Act in Donbas

Ukraine is eager to secure U.S. guarantees, proposing a demilitarized 'free economic zone' in Donbas areas not yet seized by Russian forces. On Friday, Zelensky received an update from his top negotiator, Rustem Umerov, signaling that the clock is ticking. "We are not losing a single day," he stressed on social media, noting the urgency of the upcoming high-level meeting with Trump.

Their previous encounter in February turned into a shouting match, but by October, the air had cleared. Mutual goals seem to have softened the atmosphere. Zelensky, this time, wants to focus on key documents, including U.S. security assurances and an economic agreement.

Behind the Scenes: Intense Negotiations

This isn't just about two leaders in a room. Talks have been ongoing. Zelensky recently spoke with Trump's chief negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, on Christmas Day. He described the dialogue as generating 'new ideas,' though the challenges remain huge. The White House has floated the idea of a demilitarized zone in Eastern Ukraine, a compromise that skirts around the thorny issue of legal ownership.

Zelensky has even suggested that if Ukraine withdraws up to 40km from the front line, Russia should reciprocate. These ideas are part of a revised 28-point draft, initially criticized for favoring Russia. But the thorniest issues, like the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and territorial questions, still loom large.

The Road Ahead

Russia seems unlikely to agree to several points in the updated U.S. plan, especially concerning territorial concessions. Kremlin voices, like spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, accuse Western European states of trying to derail diplomatic progress. Yet, talks between Russian and American delegations are set to continue. The hope? A deal that not only brings peace but also ensures Ukraine's military strength remains intact, despite Kremlin demands for cuts.

Meanwhile, the war rages on. Ukrainian officials report ongoing aerial strikes resulting in at least four deaths since December 25. The air force claims to have shot down 73 drones overnight. And in a twist, Russia says it's intercepted missiles, including British Storm Shadow ones, as Ukraine strikes oil and gas refineries in Russian territories.