As global attention turns once again to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a high-impact diplomatic invitation—urging U.S. President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine in person as negotiations intensify over ending Russia’s nearly four-year war.

The proposal comes at a pivotal moment. Behind closed doors, Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow are engaged in delicate diplomacy. On the battlefield, however, drones continue to fall, civilians remain at risk, and energy infrastructure is under relentless attack. Zelenskyy’s message is clear: peace requires presence, pressure, and proof of commitment.

Speaking with reporters, Zelenskyy said a visit by Trump—directly to Ukraine rather than neighboring Poland—could significantly influence the trajectory of peace talks.

“If the U.S. president comes to Ukraine, it would signal that a ceasefire is possible,” Zelenskyy said, emphasizing the symbolic and strategic weight of such a move.

From Kyiv’s perspective, a presidential visit would not only reinforce American support but also serve as a visible deterrent to further Russian escalation. It would echo past moments of wartime diplomacy that reshaped negotiations and reassured allies.

Trump recently told reporters that negotiators are “very close” to reaching a deal to end the conflict that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Zelenskyy and Trump met in Florida to discuss a 20-point peace framework, which Ukrainian officials believe could form the backbone of a broader settlement.

The White House confirmed that Trump has also spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone, both before and after his meeting with Zelenskyy—underscoring the administration’s hands-on approach to mediation.

While details remain confidential, the rapid sequence of meetings and calls suggests that diplomacy is moving faster now than at any point in recent months.

Perhaps the most consequential revelation is Zelenskyy’s confirmation that the presence of U.S. troops in Ukraine is being discussed as part of potential post-war security guarantees.

“These are decisions America must make,” Zelenskyy said. “But yes, we are discussing it.”

Importantly, Ukrainian officials stress that such a presence would not necessarily involve combat operations. Instead, it would serve as a stabilizing force—a deterrent designed to prevent renewed Russian aggression once a ceasefire or peace agreement is in place.

This discussion is taking place alongside talks with the European-led Coalition of the Willing, a group of nations exploring long-term security arrangements for Ukraine.

Moscow has responded with a mix of accusations and threats. Russian officials recently claimed—without evidence—that Ukraine attempted a drone attack on President Putin’s residence. After speaking with Putin, Trump said he was “very angry,” though he later acknowledged the claim may not be accurate.

Zelenskyy dismissed Russian assertions that relations between Kyiv and Washington are deteriorating.

“We are working every day,” he said, noting multiple conversations between Ukrainian negotiators and U.S. representatives, including Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff.

Diplomacy is not limited to Washington. Zelenskyy announced that national security advisers from Coalition of the Willing countries will meet in Ukraine on January 3, followed by a leaders’ summit in France on January 6.

These meetings could define Europe’s role in enforcing or guaranteeing any future peace deal—particularly if U.S. troop deployment remains politically sensitive.

The timing recalls February 2023, when then-President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv, traveling by train from Poland. That moment reshaped international perceptions of U.S. commitment. Zelenskyy’s invitation to Trump appears designed to create a similar inflection point.

Despite renewed peace efforts, the violence has not slowed. Overnight, Russia launched 127 drones at Ukraine, with strikes reported across multiple regions. The port city of Odesa suffered heavy damage, including residential buildings and vehicles. At least six civilians were injured, three of them children.

Ukrainian officials also reported fresh attacks on energy infrastructure, part of a broader campaign that has damaged dozens of substations over the past year.

Russia, meanwhile, claimed to have intercepted 86 Ukrainian drones, temporarily closing several regional airports.

Zelenskyy’s call for Trump to visit Ukraine is more than a diplomatic courtesy—it is a calculated move aimed at accelerating peace, securing guarantees, and reshaping the balance of leverage at the negotiating table.

With Ukraine peace talks, Trump’s role in ending the Russia-Ukraine war, and possible U.S. troop deployment now openly discussed, the coming weeks may determine whether diplomacy finally overtakes destruction.

For Ukraine, the message is urgent. For the world, the stakes could not be higher.