President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky for a high-stakes dinner at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where he jokingly questioned whether offering food to the press corps would constitute a bribe. The summit, held on Sunday 28 December 2025, aimed to make progress on ending the ongoing war with Russia.
A Presidential Lunch Offer with a Side of Sarcasm
As negotiations paused, Trump turned his attention to the journalists who had cut short their Christmas break to cover the event. Flanked by key officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, the president quipped to the press: "I think you could sit outside and have some food. Would you like to have food or do you consider that a bribe, and therefore you cannot write honestly?"
After a journalist accepted on behalf of the group, Trump instructed his aide, Margo Martin, to arrange a meal. He then commented to his guests, "That should guarantee you good stories, but it won't. It'll only get worse." The press pool was subsequently served a lunch that included sliced steak, coconut shrimp, and chocolate chip cookies, accompanied by Trump-branded water bottles.
Substance Behind the Spectacle: Thorny Peace Talks
Beyond the theatrical exchange, the meeting focused on a critical 20-point plan to end the conflict approaching its fourth anniversary. Trump later stated that "a lot of progress" had been made but acknowledged several "thorny issues" remained unresolved. Zelensky indicated that security guarantees involving the US and Ukraine were "100 per cent agreed," with a broader arrangement involving America and Europe "almost agreed."
The proposed deal would involve Ukraine relinquishing its NATO membership ambitions—a key demand of Russia's Vladimir Putin—in exchange for "NATO-style" defensive support from a coalition of allied nations. However, a major sticking point remains: Ukraine continues to refuse to cede any territory, including the Donbas region or Crimea, to Moscow's forces.
A Shift in Tone Amidst Media Hostility
The gesture of providing lunch marked a notably friendlier interaction with the press from Trump, who has recently faced criticism for hostile remarks toward journalists, particularly female reporters. This episode at Mar-a-Lago, while laced with his characteristic sarcasm about media bias, presented a more congenial facade during a significant diplomatic engagement.
The success of the proposed peace plan ultimately hinges on Russia's willingness to accept a deal without formal annexation of the eastern Ukrainian territories its troops currently occupy, a prospect many analysts find unlikely. The world now watches to see if the progress reported from the Palm Beach summit can translate into a durable peace.
