Former President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago, signaling a critical juncture in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump characterized the discussions as being in the “final stage” of peace talks, emphasizing that the war could either conclude soon or escalate with devastating consequences.

“We are going to see. Otherwise, it is going to go on for a long time. It will either end, or it is going to go on for a long time, and millions of additional people are going to be killed, and nobody wants that,” Trump stated, underscoring the immense gravity of the negotiations.

He expressed optimism regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to a peace deal, noting that both leaders are motivated to achieve a resolution. Trump believes that the framework for an agreement is emerging, one that he described as beneficial for Ukraine and all parties involved. This highly anticipated meeting follows a recent, intense Russian assault on Kyiv and comes as hopes are high for a diplomatic breakthrough.

Trump praised President Zelenskyy’s resilience and bravery, acknowledging the profound hardship faced by Ukraine. He indicated plans to engage with President Putin again after the Mar-a-Lago summit to further advance the complex but manageable negotiation process. The former president reiterated his singular deadline: ending the war.