While answering questions from reporters, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that U.S. President Donald Trump should come to Ukraine as an indication of reaching an end to the war with Russia.
He added that he feels a personal visit from Trump would indicate a concrete willingness to negotiate a ceasefire, saying, "I told him that we would be glad to see him. It is very useful for Ukraine. If U.S. President Trump flies to Ukraine, and it is desirable that he flies by plane not to Poland, but to Ukraine, then this will indicate that we definitely have the opportunity to count on a ceasefire."
On Wednesday, Trump advisers reportedly held talks with Zelensky and national security advisers from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany on "next steps" toward ending the war. Zelensky also announced that national security advisers from Ukraine's so-called "Coalition of the Willing" would meet in Ukraine on Saturday, followed by a leaders' summit in France on January 6.
Zelensky's comments came days after he met Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, where both leaders publicly emphasized momentum towards peace. At the meeting, Trump said Ukraine and Russia were "closer than ever" to a deal, while also warning that negotiations could still collapse.
Prior to the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov publicly accused Ukraine of deploying 91 long-range drones targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin's home on Sunday night.
President Zelenskyy swiftly dismissed the allegations as "typical Russian lies" and denied any involvement in such an attack. He also warned that "Everyone must be vigilant now. Absolutely everyone. A strike may be launched on the capital," implying that the allegations were made to justify an escalation of the war.
Zelenskyy also wrote on X that "Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump's team. We keep working together to bring peace closer." He also called the Russian allegations "a complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine, including Kyiv, as well as Russia's own refusal to take necessary steps to end the war."
Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump's team. We keep working together to bring peace closer.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 29, 2025
This alleged "residence strike" story is a complete fabrication intended to justify…
In response to the claims, President Trump characterized the situation as poorly timed given peace initiatives, and that he doesn't "like it. It's not good. I heard about it this morning...President Putin told me about it... He said he was attacked. It's no good." Though he also indicated that U.S. intelligence agencies would investigate whether any evidence existed to support Russia's allegations.
