If you’re refreshing your feed to see exactly what time is Trump meeting with Zelensky today, you’ve probably noticed a lot of conflicting noise. The short answer is that while a massive diplomatic delegation is moving toward the U.S., the big face-to-face sit-down between the two presidents isn't actually happening today, Friday, January 16.
Honestly, the scheduling for this has been a bit of a moving target.
Right now, President Trump is heading down to Mar-a-Lago for the weekend. Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky is still in Kyiv, where he just finished a high-stakes press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel. The real action—the one everyone is waiting for—is currently slated for Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. local time near Trump’s Florida estate.
Why the Sunday Meeting is the Real Target
Most people are getting the timing wrong because a Ukrainian delegation did depart for the United States today. They're heading to Washington to hammer out the fine print on security guarantees and an eye-watering $800 billion recovery package.
But Zelensky himself? He's still holding the fort in Ukraine.
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It’s a tense moment. Just today, Zelensky spoke about the "prosperity package" they’ve been working on with the Trump administration. He mentioned that the documents are basically ready for signing. However, there’s a clear vibe that they aren’t "on the same side" on every issue just yet. Trump has been vocal about wanting the war over "tomorrow," while Zelensky is pushing back against what he calls "ultimatums."
The 20-Point Peace Proposal
When they finally do meet on Sunday, it won't just be a photo op. Zelensky is reportedly bringing a 20-point peace proposal to Mar-a-Lago.
- Demilitarized Zones: One of the big sticking points.
- Security Guarantees: Ukraine wants something ironclad so Russia doesn't just attack again in two years.
- The "Prosperity Package": This is the business side of the deal that Trump seems most interested in—jobs, investment, and rebuilding.
What Trump Is Doing Today
While the Ukrainian team is in the air, Donald Trump has been busy at the White House and on the way to Air Force One. Today, January 16, he spent a good chunk of time talking about Iran. He actually thanked the Iranian government for canceling a series of executions.
"They canceled the hangings. That had a big impact," Trump told reporters as he left the White House.
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He’s also been touting the Working Families Tax Cuts Act and making a big deal about rural healthcare investments. Basically, he’s clearing his domestic plate before the Florida summit.
The Davos Connection
There is another date you need to keep on your radar: next week at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The goal for today's delegation and Sunday’s meeting is to have everything ready for a formal signing on the sidelines of Davos. If they can get the security guarantees and the recovery funding locked in by then, it would be the biggest diplomatic win of the decade.
But don't expect it to be easy.
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Zelensky was pretty blunt today in Kyiv. He said that Russia is the one stalling, using the freezing winter weather to hammer Ukraine's energy grid. He's trying to convince Trump that "pressure" on Moscow is the only thing that works, while the Trump team is focused on a "peace through strength" deal that might require some "painful concessions" from the Ukrainian side.
What to Watch for Next
Since the meeting isn't today, what should you actually look for in the next 24 hours?
- The Delegation's Arrival: Look for updates from the Ukrainian security team arriving in D.C. If they start making progress on the "security framework," Sunday's meeting will go much smoother.
- Trump's Social Media: He’ll likely post about the "deal" or the "obstacle to peace" from Mar-a-Lago before Zelensky even lands in the States.
- The 3:00 PM Sunday Window: This is the confirmed time for the Mar-a-Lago talks.
It’s a high-wire act. You’ve got a U.S. President who prides himself on being the ultimate dealmaker and a Ukrainian President who is literally fighting for his country’s survival. Sunday is going to be intense.
Actionable Insight: Keep an eye on official White House schedule updates for Sunday afternoon. If you’re tracking the peace process, focus on the "Prosperity Package" details—that’s the specific terminology the Trump administration is using to bridge the gap between military aid and economic recovery.