Topics: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump, US News, Politics, Ukraine, Russia
Volodymyr Zelensky wasted no time responding after US president Donald Trump said the Ukrainian leader wanted to go to Mar-a-Lago instead of the White House.
Trump and Zelenskyy met at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida on Sunday (Dec. 28) to discuss a revised peace plan to end the Ukraine war.
The two leaders spoke for more than three hours, however, a major breakthrough was not announced following the meeting. Both emphasized that the process to end the war with Russia, which began in 2022, was complicated and would need further time.
Trump, however, praised Zelenskyy and expressed confidence that the end of the war was near. “I do think we’re getting a lot closer, maybe very close,” he said.
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Following the meeting on Sunday, Zelenskyy quickly shut down Trump’s Mar-a-Lago quip at the end of a joint press conference. The former real estate developer boasted about the impression his private Florida residence had on the Ukrainian leader.
“He walked in, he said, ‘This place is gorgeous'. I don’t think he wants to go to the White House anymore, that’s the problem,” Trump said.
With a smile on his face, Zelensky responded and said: “I’m ready to go to the White House”.
Trump replied: “I know, we are.”
He then faced reporters and said: “The White House is a very special place, and so is this. I hope you enjoyed it.”
Trump also pointed out that the Ukrainian delegation enjoyed the food at Mar-a-Lago. “It was an honor to have you at Mar-a-Lago and have lunch,” he said. “I hope you enjoyed the food.”
In October, Trump and Zelenskyy had a tense meeting at the White House as the pair attempted to come to a resolution on the war.
BREAKING: Trump brags about Zelensky not wanting to goto the WH anymore because Mar-a-Lago is so “gorgeous”.
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) December 28, 2025
ZELENSKY: “I’m ready to go to the White House.” pic.twitter.com/dNpVhWsrL0
Trump reportedly called on Ukraine to accept Putin’s ‘maximalist’ peace demands, which included Vladimir Putin’s demand that Zelenskyy surrender the entire Donbas region. This is something Zelenskyy has rejected.
This followed a meeting back in February, which similarly led to a tense argument between the two men, and the chaotic footage went viral.
US Vice President JD Vance, who was also in the Oval Office when the disagreement took place, proceeded to accuse Zelenskyy of being disrespectful towards both the US and President Trump, telling him he 'should be thanking the president'.
The Ukrainian president reflected on how 'during the war, everyone has problems' and just because those in the US don't 'feel it now' doesn't mean they won't in 'the future'.
Trump hit back and said: “You're in no position to dictate what we're going to feel. We're going to feel very good. We're going to feel very good and very strong. You're right now, not in a very good position, you've allowed yourself to be in a very bad position.
"You don't have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards ... You're gambling with the lives of millions of people! You're gambling with World War Three! You're gambling with World War III. And what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country - this country."
Following the meeting at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday, Zelenskyy told reporters that a peace plan is ‘90 percent’ complete.
