Zelensky Pushes for Trump Meeting Over Thanksgiving to Seal Peace Deal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging a high-stakes meeting with Donald Trump over Thanksgiving, according to his top aide, Andriy Yermak. The goal: finalize a joint U.S.-Ukraine agreement that could chart a roadmap for ending the war.

What’s Driving the Push

• Yermak told Axios that most parts of the peace proposal have been agreed in principle, but Zelensky insists on sitting down with Trump personally to negotiate territorial issues. Axios+1
• Trump is expected to spend the holiday at Mar-a-Lago, which Yermak believes would lend symbolic weight to a meeting during that time. Axios
• According to Yermak, the earlier 28-point draft has been reduced to a 19-point version — removing unrelated items and making it more amenable to Kyiv. Axios

Key Areas of Agreement (and Tension)

1. Security Guarantees
   • The current draft includes legally binding guarantees from the U.S. and its European partners. Axios+1
   • These guarantees are a cornerstone for Ukraine, which has long sought assurances stronger than previous commitments. Axios
2. Territorial Concessions
   • The main sticking point remains territory: Yermak says Zelensky wants to directly negotiate which lands might be ceded, and under what terms. Axios
   • The original 28-point plan reportedly included significant territorial demands, which triggered backlash in Kyiv. Axios+1
3. NATO Membership
   • Under the initial plan, Ukraine would have to forgo NATO membership. Yermak clarified that Kyiv isn’t abandoning its constitutional path toward NATO, but acknowledges the current reality: “we are not in NATO.” Axios

Political Risks and Domestic Heat

• Yermak, in his role as Zelensky’s chief of staff, has become a lightning rod amid a corruption scandal, with calls from the opposition for his removal. Axios
• Despite that, Yermak strongly defends the peace negotiations, arguing that a deal now could offer Kyiv a historic security guarantee it’s never had. Axios
• He also warned that continued Russian attacks — such as recent deadly strikes on Kyiv — were evidence that Moscow was not serious about peace. Axios

What to Watch

• Whether Trump and Zelensky actually meet over Thanksgiving. A U.S. official told Axios discussions are happening, but no date is confirmed yet. Axios
• The final text of the 19-point plan — especially on territorial terms and the nature of security guarantees.
• How European allies will respond: earlier versions of the plan raised alarm in Brussels and other capitals. Axios
• The fallout in Ukrainian politics: Yermak’s political standing could be reshaped by how this deal progresses