U.S. President Trump has stepped up his diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine by holding a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of a planned meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

Trump described the conversation as “very good and productive,” raising expectations of potential progress toward negotiations.

Trump is set to host Zelensky this Sunday at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, in what is shaping up to be a pivotal meeting to assess whether Washington can help move peace talks forward after nearly four years of conflict. The talks come amid renewed Russian attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

Over the weekend, ballistic missiles and drones struck the Ukrainian capital, killing at least one person and injuring 27 others, according to local officials.

Meanwhile, in the eastern city of Sloviansk, three guided aerial bombs hit residential areas, wounding several people, regional military authorities reported.

Despite the escalation, Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s willingness to pursue a negotiated settlement.

“Ukraine is ready to do whatever is necessary to stop this war. We need to be strong at the negotiating table,” he wrote on X. At the same time, he warned that recent attacks show Putin “does not genuinely want peace.”

The White House plan

The plan backed by the White House reportedly includes non-aggression commitments, security guarantees for Kyiv, and the prospect of Ukraine’s gradual accession to the European Union.

Aims to position himself as a central mediator in the conflict, arguing that sustained political pressure combined with pragmatic agreements could lead to a breakthrough.

Before traveling to the United States, Zelensky met in Canada with Prime Minister Mark Carney, who described the current phase of negotiations as “crucial.” Following the meeting, Ottawa announced a new economic assistance package for Ukraine worth 2.5 billion Canadian dollars.

The Florida meeting will serve as a key test of whether recent diplomatic contacts—including Trump’s call with Putin—can translate into concrete steps toward a ceasefire, or whether the war will remain locked in a prolonged and dangerous stalemate with far-reaching global consequences.