Travel pool report #2- arrival/ quotes

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's car arrived at Mar-a-Lago at 1:23pm. He arrived in a black SUV.

He exited on the right side of the car and stood for about a minute next to the car, shielded from the press by two agents. The pool didn’t have a clear view but he appeared to be looking down at his phone.

At 1:26pm, President Trump walked outside of Mar-a-Lago.

"Hello Mr President," Zelensky said when he walked up to the door.

They stook hands for a few seconds and posed for a picture.

Trump then took questions from the press:

Is Putin serious about peace?

"I do, I do. I think he is. I think they both are."

What was your message to Putin?

"Got to make a deal, got to get it done. Too many people dying. I think too many people dying."

"I do believe we have the makings of a deal... there's nothing more important."

Said he was hopeful they'll have a "very good meeting"

"I'm also calling a President Putin back after the meeting and we'll continue negotiations."

Can you meet the new years day deadline?

"I don't have deadlines."

Are you prepared to sign the security agreement today?

"What a dumb question. No one knows what the security agreement will say."

European leaders have been very great... they're terrific people."

"They all want to get I done"

Zelensky, when asked why he would come to MAL today: "it's very important to our teams talk about strategy"

Trump:

"It will either end or it's going to go on for a long time and millions of additional people are going to be killed. And nobody wants that"

Said Zelensky had dinner with Steve Witkoff

"Our group has been incredible and Russia appreciatws it.

Trump said he plans to speak to European leaders after the meeting.

They entered MAL after about 10 mins of speaking to the press. Pool is holding outside.

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Alex Gangitano

Reporter, White House| POLITICO