Trump Claims Zelensky Needs His Approval for Aid 🇺🇸🇺🇦

President Donald Trump has stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy “doesn’t have anything until I approve it” ahead of a planned meeting this weekend. The two leaders are scheduled to discuss potential paths toward ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Trump-Zelenskiy Meeting

In an interview with Politico, Trump said, “He doesn’t have anything until I approve it. So we’ll see what he’s got.” He expressed belief that the meeting could be productive.

Zelenskiy will discuss territorial issues, a key obstacle in negotiations, with Trump in Florida on Sunday. A 20-point peace framework and a security guarantees deal are nearing completion.

Zelenskiy announced on Friday that “a lot can be decided before the new year.” He indicated that discussions would cover Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, as well as other matters.

Russia is seeking full control of the Donbas region, specifically demanding Ukraine withdraw from parts of the Donetsk region currently not under Russian occupation. Kyiv, however, wants fighting to cease at current battle lines.

The US has proposed a free economic zone if Ukraine withdraws from the area, though the practical function of such a zone remains unclear.

Zelenskiy has stated that any territorial compromises should be decided by the Ukrainian people through a potential referendum.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, is currently controlled by Russian forces and located on the front line.

Zelenskiy added that the meeting with Trump aims to “refine things” in the draft agreements and discuss potential economic deals for Ukraine. He noted he wasn’t certain if any deal would be signed during his visit, but Ukraine is open to the possibility.

A security guarantees agreement between Ukraine and the US is “almost ready,” and the 20-point plan draft is 90 percent complete, Zelenskiy added. Ukraine is seeking robust and legally-binding deals to prevent further Russian aggression, wary of past unfulfilled guarantees.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump previously indicated he would meet Zelenskiy if a major diplomatic breakthrough seemed possible, and has expressed frustration with the slow pace of negotiations.

European leaders may join the talks online, Zelenskiy said. He discussed “significant progress” in peace efforts with Finnish President Alexander Stubb on Friday.

It remains unclear what peace plan proposals Moscow would accept. Russian Foreign Policy Aide Yuri Ushakov spoke with members of the Trump administration after Moscow received US proposals regarding a possible peace deal, the Kremlin said Friday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia did not want to publicly comment on the proposals, fearing it could undermine the negotiations.

Russia’s Kommersant newspaper reported that President Putin told Russian business leaders he might be open to exchanging territory controlled by Russian forces elsewhere in Ukraine for full control of the Donbas.

Despite the ongoing talks, Russia continued attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and increased attacks on the southern region of Odesa, resulting in two deaths in Kharkiv on Friday.

Zelenskiy plans to raise the issue of increased pressure on Russia with Trump.