Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shrugged off former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago boasting after their Palm Beach meeting about a possible Ukraine peace deal. Both leaders said talks made progress, but provided few concrete details, and Zelensky reiterated the plan is still about “90 percent” complete. They discussed the possibility of a January White House meeting with European leaders; reporters noted more ceremony than breakthrough.
Zelensky Bristles at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Boast After Palm Beach Peace Talks
President Donald Trump invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his Mar-a-Lago club to discuss the war in Ukraine on Sunday. / Ukranian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky downplayed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s attempts to flaunt Mar‑a‑Lago after their Sunday meeting in Palm Beach, where the two discussed efforts to reach a peace deal to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The meeting, hosted at Trump’s Florida estate, included phone participation from several European leaders. Both men said the talks produced progress but offered few specifics, and reporters left with little indication that a final agreement is imminent.
Exchange Over Mar‑a‑Lago
At the close of a joint news conference, Trump recounted Zelensky’s reaction on entering the property:
“He walked in, he said, ‘This place is gorgeous.’ I don’t think he wants to go to the White House anymore, that’s the problem.”
Zelensky did at one point offer praise for the billionaire president’s residence, calling it an
Zelensky smiled and immediately undercut that anecdote:
“I’m ready to go to the White House.”Reporters laughed at the exchange, and Trump replied,
“I know, we are. The White House is a very special place, and so is this. I hope you enjoyed it.”
Where The Talks Stand
Zelensky reiterated that a proposed peace plan remains roughly “90 percent” complete — the same figure he cited before traveling to Mar‑a‑Lago — but neither leader provided details to suggest a breakthrough is near. Earlier, Zelensky said Trump agreed it might be possible to host him and European leaders at the White House in January, a step that could help advance negotiations.
Trump also highlighted the Ukrainian delegation’s reaction to the lunch served during the visit, saying, “It was an honor to have you at Mar‑a‑Lago and have lunch. I hope you enjoyed the food. Your people enjoyed the food, I can tell you that. Your big, strong people.”
Mar-a-Lago has 58 bedrooms and 33 bathrooms, and was built by cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post in 1927 on 17 acres of land. Trump bought the estate in 1985. / Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Remarks And Reaction
Zelensky offered a measured compliment about the venue, noting the meeting took place at Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago residence — a large estate originally built in 1927 with 58 bedrooms and 33 bathrooms on 17 acres.
When asked for comment on coverage critical of Trump’s performance, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly told the Daily Beast:
“Someone needs to save the interns of the Daily Beast. They are clearly being forced to write utter nonsense, like attacking President Trump’s progress towards ending the Russia-Ukraine War, which will haunt them for the rest of their careers.”
Overall, the encounter combined diplomatic talk about a potential peace framework with lighthearted — and at times awkward — personal moments, leaving substantive progress unclear.
