Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in Florida for a high‑stakes meeting with Donald Trump
WASHINGTON: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lands in Florida for a high‑stakes meeting with former President Donald Trump, his first face‑to‑face encounter with the GOP frontrunner since the war in Kyiv began in February 2022.
Zelensky touched down at Palm Beach International Airport at 6:45 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, escorted by a small Ukrainian delegation that includes Deputy Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and the head of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, Andriy Yermak. After a brief stop at the hotel where his team is staying, the president is expected to head to a private conference center in West Palm Beach for a closed‑door discussion with Trump, who arrived in the state the night before on a private jet.
Why Florida?
The meeting, scheduled for 11:00 a.m., marks the first time the two leaders have met on U.S. soil. Trump, who is leading the Republican primary and has repeatedly pledged to “win the war” for Ukraine, chose the Sunshine State because it offers a “neutral” setting away from Washington’s partisan glare, organizers said. Florida’s governor, Republican Ron DeSantis, welcomed both men at the airport and will host a brief press conference after the talks.
“The world is watching how the United States and Ukraine will navigate this conflict together,” DeSantis said. “Florida is proud to be the backdrop for this historic dialogue.”
Agenda still under wraps
Neither the White House nor the Trump campaign disclosed a detailed agenda, but sources close to the Ukrainian delegation say the discussion will focus on three core issues:
- U.S. military aid: Zelensky is expected to press for a renewal of the $75 billion security assistance package, including additional air‑defense systems and longer‑range artillery, which the Biden administration has begun to ship but has yet to fully fund for the coming year.
- Sanctions and diplomatic pressure: The president will seek assurances that any future U.S. administration, including a potential Trump presidency, will maintain “maximum pressure” sanctions on Russia, especially targeting its energy exports and sovereign wealth funds.
- Post‑war reconstruction: Zelensky hopes to gauge Trump’s willingness to back a U.S.‑led reconstruction fund that could channel billions of dollars into rebuilding Ukraine’s shattered infrastructure once the conflict eases.
A senior adviser to Trump, who asked to remain unnamed, told reporters that “the conversation will be candid. Both sides want to make sure that any future U.S. policy is clear, consistent, and, most importantly, effective on the ground.”
Political reverberations
The meeting comes at a critical juncture for both men. Trump, who is edging toward a presumptive Republican nomination, has been courting the Ukrainian diaspora and pro‑Ukrainian voters in swing states. Over the past month, his campaign has aired a series of television ads highlighting his “commitment to finish the job” in Ukraine, a stark contrast to the Biden administration’s more measured messaging.
Zelensky’s team, meanwhile, is attempting to hedge against the uncertainty of a possible Trump presidency. In a brief statement released after the president’s arrival, the Ukrainian president said:
“We are grateful for the warm welcome in Florida. Our goal is to ensure that the support of the United States for Ukraine remains unwavering, no matter who sits in the White House. We look forward to constructive dialogue that puts the safety and freedom of the Ukrainian people first.”
Political analysts say the meeting could have two major implications:
- If Trump signals a robust, continued aid package, it may solidify his standing among centrist voters who view strong foreign‑policy credentials as a plus, potentially narrowing the gap with President Joe Biden in the 2024 race.
- If the discussion reveals fractures such as Trump’s historic skepticism of NATO or his past statements about withdrawing U.S. troops it could embolden Democrats to paint the GOP as unreliable partners for Ukraine, reinforcing Biden’s narrative of steady leadership.
Security and logistics
The Secret Service, in coordination with the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), oversaw a tight security perimeter around the airport and the meeting venue. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed that no protests were permitted within a 500‑meter radius of the conference center, citing “public safety concerns.” A small contingent of Ukrainian journalists will be allowed limited access after the meeting.
What comes next?
Both leaders are slated to attend a joint press conference at 2:30 p.m., where they will address the media in English and Ukrainian with live translation. A follow‑up summit is already being discussed in Washington, with potential dates in early 2025, depending on the outcome of the November election.
For now, the world’s eyes remain fixed on the palm‑lined backdrop of Florida as two of the most consequential political figures of the era sit down to discuss a war that continues to reshape global geopolitics.
