LONDON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday advised that U.S. President Donald Trump ought to go to Ukraine, amid the newest U.S.-led push for a peace deal to finish Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor.
“He talks about advocating a plan to finish the battle,” Zelenskyy mentioned of Trump, answering questions in a gaggle WhatsApp chat with reporters.
“I advised him that we might be glad to see him. It is rather helpful for Ukraine. If U.S. President Trump flies to Ukraine, and it’s fascinating that he flies by aircraft to not Poland, however to Ukraine, then this may point out that we positively have the chance to depend on a ceasefire,” Zelenskyy mentioned.
Earlier this week, Trump told reporters that the negotiating groups are “getting so much nearer, perhaps very shut” to attaining a peace deal to finish Moscow’s invasion, which has been ongoing since February 2022.
U.S. President Donald Trump greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago membership, on Dec. 28, 2025, in Palm Seaside, Florida.
Alex Brandon/AP
Zelenskyy traveled to Florida to satisfy with Trump on Sunday and talk about a 20-point plan that he described as a doable basis for the tip of the battle. Trump additionally spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by cellphone earlier than and after assembly Zelenskyy, the White Home mentioned.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy mentioned that Ukraine is discussing the potential of an American troop presence as a part of a settlement, and as a part of the post-war safety ensures Kyiv says it wants to forestall a repeat Russian assault.
“These are U.S. troops and that’s the reason it’s America that makes such choices,” Zelenskyy mentioned. “In fact, we’re discussing this with President Trump and with representatives of the ‘Coalition of the Prepared.'”
“We wish this. This might be a powerful place in safety ensures,” Zelenskyy added.
Zelenskyy additionally denied Russian stories of a rift between the U.S. and Ukraine. On Monday, Moscow accused Kyiv — with out offering any supporting proof — of launching a drone assault on Putin’s residence within the Novgorod area.
After talking with Putin by cellphone concerning the alleged assault, Trump mentioned he was “very offended,” although additionally acknowledged that it might not have occurred.
“Regardless of all of the media accusations of the Russians concerning the breakdown of our talks with the Individuals, we’re working day by day,” Zelenskyy advised reporters.
The Ukrainian president mentioned there had been “a number of calls” on Tuesday between Rustem Umerov — the secretary of Ukraine’s Nationwide Safety and Defence Council and a key negotiator — and American representatives, amongst them presidential envoy Steve Witkoff. “We’re discussing our subsequent steps,” Zelenskyy mentioned.
Zelenskyy additionally posted to social media on Tuesday previewing a gathering of nationwide safety advisers of the largely European “Coalition of the Prepared” nations in Ukraine on Jan. 3, which is anticipated to be adopted by a gathering of nationwide leaders in France on Jan. 6.
Trump’s predecessor, President Joe Biden, made in February 2023 a surprise trip to Kyiv, the place he met with Zelenskyy previous to the primary anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Biden flew into Poland and undertook a 10-hour train journey to get to the Ukrainian capital, senior administration officers mentioned on the time.
Each Russia and Ukraine continued their change of long-range drone strikes in a single day.
Smoke rises from an condominium constructing broken throughout an in a single day Russian drone strike in Odesa, Ukraine, on Dec. 31, 2025.
State Emergency Service Of Ukrai/through Reuters
Ukraine’s air power mentioned Russia launched 127 drones into the nation in a single day into Wednesday morning, of which 101 have been shot down or suppressed. Twenty drones impacted throughout 11 areas, the air power mentioned.
The southern port metropolis of Odesa was among the many targets of the newest in a single day barrage, officers mentioned.
Odesa Gov. Oleh Kiper mentioned in a put up to Telegram that a minimum of six individuals have been injured by Russian drone strikes, amongst them three youngsters. One grownup was hospitalized and is in a important situation, Kiper mentioned.
“In complete, 4 multi-apartment residential buildings, a minimum of 14 automobiles and personal garages have been broken,” Kiper mentioned.
“These assaults are one other indication of the terrorist ways of the enemy, who intentionally assaults the civilian infrastructure of peaceable cities within the Odesa area, threatening the lives and well being of individuals,” the governor added.
Kiper additionally reported a minimum of two contemporary strikes on Ukrainian vitality infrastructure within the Odesa area. “Total, throughout December, 10 substations in Odessa and the area have been broken on account of enemy shelling,” he wrote. “For the reason that starting of the 12 months, Russia has attacked 25 vitality amenities within the area.”
“The injury is critical and the restore work will take time,” Kiper mentioned.
Russia’s Protection Ministry, in the meantime, mentioned its forces shot down 86 Ukrainian drones in a single day into Wednesday morning, of which 56 have been reportedly downed over the Black Sea.
Rosaviatsiya — Russia’s federal air transport company — reported momentary flight restrictions at airports within the southern Russian cities of Gelenjik and Krasnodar, in addition to in Ivanovo and Yaroslavl which each sit northeast of Moscow.
ABC Information’ Natalya Kushnir and Othon Leyva contributed to this report.
