The attack is seen by analysts as an attempt by Moscow to gain leverage ahead of any ceasefire and as a bloody reminder that Russia does not intend to ease the negotiating table.
Plan details: much more than a ceasefire
Although Zelensky said that the plan is “90% ready”, the details that have emerged show a dense and ambitious security architecture. Of the 20 points foreseen, ten fundamental axes stand out and will be the center of the discussion in Florida:
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NATO “Article 5 Style” security guarantees: Ukraine demands a formal commitment that, in the event of new Russian aggression, the signatories (read more below. This point is the most sensitive for Washington.
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Sanctions “snapback” mechanism: If Russia violates the agreement, all global sanctions lifted would be automatically reimposed, without the need for new votes at the UN or EU.
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Long-term deterrence: The Ukrainian army will maintain a force of 800,000 active military personnel to ensure that the cost of a future invasion will be prohibitive for the Kremlin.
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Freezing front and economic zones: The current line of contact between opponents would be stabilized, with the creation of special administration zones where Ukrainian sovereignty is legally maintained but the military presence is removed.
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200 billion reconstruction fund: A massive investment in infrastructure, financed mainly by frozen Russian assets and Western contributions.
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Energy Soberania in Zaporizzhia: The plan calls for the immediate return of control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to Ukrainian operators under international supervision by the IAEA.
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Exploitation of critical resources: Trump is particularly interested in creating Portuguese-American consortia for the exploration of lithium, titanium and natural gas on Ukrainian soil, linking security to economic profitability.
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Total prisoner exchange: An “all for all” regime, including the forced repatriation of Ukrainian children taken to Russia.
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Accelerated path to the European Union: The commitment that the peace agreement includes explicit US support for Ukraine’s full integration into the European single market by 2027.
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Demilitarization of borders: The creation of a 50-kilometer strip on both sides of the international border where the positioning of heavy artillery would be prohibited.
The “Guarantors”: who will sign(s) Kiev’s security?
One of the most debated aspects of the plan is the list of signatories that would commit to the mutual defense of Ukraine. According to the negotiated draft, the coordinated military response mechanism would be activated by the following blocks:
The Core Warranty Triangle: United States, United Kingdom and France. Being permanent members of the UN Security Council and nuclear powers, these would be the pillars of the “Article 5” type guarantees of the Atlantic Alliance treaty.
The “Coalition of the Willing”: A group of approximately 30 countries, including Poland, the Baltic States, Canada, Japan and Germany (currently under the leadership of Friedrich Merz). These countries would provide immediate logistical and financial support in the event of aggression.
The Peace Council: There would also be a supervisory body led by Donald Trump (or his representative), which would include representatives from Ukraine, Europe (via the EU), NATO itself as an organization, and Russia, to monitor compliance with the ceasefire.
The “Trump factor” and this Saturday’s Canadian scale
Zelensky arrives in Florida from Halifax, Canada, where this Saturday he secured the support of Prime Minister Mark Carney and a package of 2.5 billion Canadian dollars (around 1.7 billion euros). This stop was crucial in showing Trump that Ukraine is not isolated and that the G7 allies are willing to share the financial burden.
However, the weight of the final decision rests with the 47th President of the USA. By stating that “nothing happens without your agreement”, Trump positions himself not only as a mediator, but as the final guarantor of world order. His team has already made it clear that Zelensky’s plan will only be accepted if it guarantees that the United States will not be trapped in an “eternal conflict” and if there are guarantees that China will not benefit economically from Ukrainian reconstruction.
With Saturday’s Russian bombings leaving millions without electricity, the pressure on Zelensky to achieve a tangible result at Mar-a-Lago is extreme. The Ukrainian president knows that time is playing against him on the battlefield, but he hopes that the 20 points of his plan — and the economic counterparts offered to Trump — will be enough to transform Washington’s rhetorical support into lasting peace.