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 warfare,” Zelenskyy stated of Trump, answering questions in a bunch WhatsApp chat with reporters.
“I informed him that we’d 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 it will point out that we positively have the chance to depend on a ceasefire,” Zelenskyy stated.
Earlier this week, Trump told reporters that the negotiating groups are “getting lots 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 focus on a 20-point plan that he described as a attainable basis for the tip of the warfare. Trump additionally spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by cellphone earlier than and after assembly Zelenskyy, the White Home stated.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is discussing the opportunity 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 stop a repeat Russian assault.
“These are U.S. troops and that’s the reason it’s America that makes such selections,” Zelenskyy stated. “In fact, we’re discussing this with President Trump and with representatives of the ‘Coalition of the Prepared.'”
“We want this. This might be a robust place in safety ensures,” Zelenskyy added.
Zelenskyy additionally denied Russian reviews 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 stated he was “very indignant,” 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 informed reporters.
The Ukrainian president stated 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 stated.
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 predicted 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 stated on the time.
Each Russia and Ukraine continued their change of long-range drone strikes in a single day.
Smoke rises from an condo 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 drive stated Russia launched 127 drones into the nation in a single day into Wednesday morning, of which 101 had been shot down or suppressed. Twenty drones impacted throughout 11 areas, the air drive stated.
The southern port metropolis of Odesa was among the many targets of the newest in a single day barrage, officers stated.
Odesa Gov. Oleh Kiper stated in a put up to Telegram that no less than six folks had been injured by Russian drone strikes, amongst them three youngsters. One grownup was hospitalized and is in a essential situation, Kiper stated.
“In complete, 4 multi-apartment residential buildings, no less than 14 vehicles and personal garages had been broken,” Kiper stated.
“These assaults are one other indication of the terrorist techniques 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 no less than two contemporary strikes on Ukrainian vitality infrastructure within the Odesa area. “General, throughout December, 10 substations in Odessa and the area had been broken because of enemy shelling,” he wrote. “For the reason that starting of the yr, Russia has attacked 25 vitality services within the area.”
“The harm is important and the restore work will take time,” Kiper stated.
Russia’s Protection Ministry, in the meantime, stated its forces shot down 86 Ukrainian drones in a single day into Wednesday morning, of which 56 had been reportedly downed over the Black Sea.
Rosaviatsiya — Russia’s federal air transport company — reported short-term 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.
