"Volodymyr, be careful"

The warning came ahead of the meeting, held yesterday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida—a high-stakes meeting focused on Washington’s latest attempt to negotiate a peace framework to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, writes The Kyiv Independent, which had access to detailed notes from the call.

European leaders feared that Trump’s diplomacy, combined with direct U.S.–Russian contacts, could pressure Kyiv into premature concessions on territory and security guarantees. Zelensky, for his part, said he had already gone as far as he could and could not agree to further concessions.

Before meeting with Trump, Zelensky met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, after which they held a joint call with European and NATO leaders to coordinate positions. The call was chaired by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and other senior officials.

According to the call summary, European leaders told Zelensky to seek clarification from Washington—and Moscow—on the contours of any peace framework. The outcome was clear: Europe relies on Ukraine for information about Washington’s next steps, while Ukraine relies on European support to strengthen its negotiating position.

“It is very important to agree with Trump on what will happen if Russia says ‘no,’” Macron said, according to the notes. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk echoed this concern, calling for transparency from all sides.

Direct warnings

Several leaders expressed doubts about the outcome of the talks, with some explicitly warning Zelensky to be cautious.

“It is important to find ways to coordinate with the United States on territorial concessions, security guarantees, and reconstruction,” Merz said, adding: “Please do not go too far. Be careful. It is important that you have a good meeting with Trump. But that is not guaranteed.”

 

Tanjug/AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen made an even more direct appeal:
“Volodymyr — please, be careful. For your sake and for Europe’s.”

The statements reflect growing unease in European capitals that Trump’s peace initiative, driven by speed and bilateral engagement with Moscow, could undermine European security interests.

“We understand that Russia will continue its attacks in the coming days. I cannot do more on the territorial issue than what I have already said. My people cannot endure any more,” Zelensky reportedly replied.

Coordination before Russia reshapes the process

The leaders also discussed narrowing the diplomatic window, focusing on the risk that Russia could shape the process before the West consolidates its position. Zelensky told participants that he is considering a proposal for a joint visit by Ukrainian and European leaders to Washington between January 12 and 18, aimed at presenting a united front. Switzerland was suggested as an alternative location.

After the meeting with the U.S. president, Zelensky confirmed that the idea had gained momentum and that Trump had agreed to host the leaders in January, although he did not appear particularly enthusiastic in his response.

The Florida meeting

The meeting between Zelensky and Trump at Mar-a-Lago lasted nearly two hours. Several days earlier, Zelensky revealed details of a revised peace plan, in which the original 28-point proposal—widely seen as pressuring Ukraine to capitulate—was reworked into a 20-point framework.

Tanjug/Alex Brandon (STF)

After the meeting, Zelensky said that they had reviewed “all aspects of the peace framework” and had made significant progress. According to him, the 20-point plan is “about 90% agreed,” while bilateral security guarantees between the United States and Ukraine are “fully agreed.” Despite Zelensky’s optimism in public statements, private warnings from European leaders emphasize that the final form of any peace agreement will depend not only on Kyiv’s resilience but also on Washington’s determination.