Trump-Zelenskyy Mar-a-Lago Talks Make Progress Amid Russia’s Escalating Drone Attacks on Ukraine – 12/29/2025, 8:28:11 PM

President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago on December 28 to advance a Russia-Ukraine peace deal, with Zelenskyy reporting 90% agreement on a 20-point plan and 100% on 15-year US security guarantees for Ukraine. Trump described the talks as “terrific” with significant progress, potentially continuing on December 29, following his “very productive” call with Putin; a Kremlin aide praised Trump’s efforts.[1][2][3][4]

Russia launched drone attacks on Ukraine overnight into December 29, including 48 drones and a prior 10-hour barrage on Kyiv that killed two, injured 44, and left hundreds of thousands without heat. This occurred amid diplomatic pushes.[1][3][4]

Winter storms threaten US post-holiday travel, while Trump prepares to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.[1]

Other key developments:
– China sanctioned 20 US defense companies and conducted military drills around Taiwan as a warning against interference; it also hosted Thai-Cambodian talks to solidify their border ceasefire, which ended weeks of fighting killing over 100 and displacing 500,000.[2][4]
– North Korea tested long-range cruise missiles to bolster nuclear deterrence.[2]
– Mexico reported 13 deaths in an Interoceanic Train derailment.[2]
– US conducted airstrikes on ISIS in Nigeria (Christmas Day, hitting two camps) and Somalia (December 22-25); a separate Nigeria mosque bombing killed five.[4]
– Bondi Beach massacre families in Australia demand federal action on antisemitism and security after Sydney incident.[2]
– Russia launched three Iranian satellites.[2]
– Sudan saw over 10,000 displaced in three days from renewed violence; new voting phases begin amid civil war displacing 3.6 million.[3][4]
– Additional tragedies: Libya mourns military chief killed in Turkey plane crash; South Africa building collapse kills three including a 1-year-old; UK PM criticized over activist’s release from Egypt.[2]