- January 1, 2026
- 4:49 pm
- World News
Donald Trump and First Lady Melania celebrated the New Year at a reception at the Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. Formally — a festive evening. In fact — a political stage where statements were made that could set the tone for the coming years.
During a conversation with journalists, Trump announced his intention to achieve peace by 2026. The wording was brief, without details or a roadmap, but such statements traditionally become markers of future political steps. At Mar-a-Lago, it sounded not like a toast, but like a promise.
The evening was accompanied by a charity auction. A painting depicting Jesus, created right during the event, was sold for $2.75 million. Half of the amount was directed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the other half to the local sheriff’s office. This gesture became an important part of the evening’s public image: a combination of religion, charity, and politics.
Among the guests was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with his wife. His appearance added an international context and heightened interest in the informal contacts that traditionally accompany such receptions at Mar-a-Lago.
The question of when words about peace might turn into real negotiations remains open. Vladimir Gorbach, Executive Director of the Institute for the Transformation of Northern Eurasia, believes that current consultations between Russia, Ukraine, and the USA are more symbolic in nature. In his assessment, real negotiations are still far off.
Gorbach suggests that a serious diplomatic process is possible no earlier than 2026. Key conditions are the depletion of Russia’s resources and increased pressure from a potential Trump administration. As a guideline, he names the period after April 2026, when real levers of influence may appear.
Particular attention was drawn to Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. It took place on December 28 in Florida and lasted more than two and a half hours. The negotiations continued in the format of a video conference with the participation of European leaders, emphasizing their political significance.
Following the meeting, Trump stated that he sees the possibility of reaching a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. However, disagreements emerged within his team. Public support for Zelensky from Keith Kellogg contradicted Trump’s more restrained statements, indicating a lack of a unified line on the Ukraine issue.
The New Year at Mar-a-Lago became not just a social event, but a platform for signals — to allies, opponents, and voters. How these signals will translate into concrete decisions will become clear later. How personal statements by American politicians, international contacts, and the Israeli context intertwine in the global agenda will continue to be monitored by NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency.
