High Level Peace Talks Underway at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate with Ukraine President Zelenskyy

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – December 28, 2025

High Level Peace Talks Underway at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Estate with Ukraine President Zelenskyy

Main Theme

This episode centers on imminent, high-level peace talks at Mar-a-Lago between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking a significant development in ongoing negotiations to resolve the war with Russia. The update also covers major domestic stories, including a large-scale fraud probe in Minnesota, severe winter weather impacting holiday travel, surging flu cases in New York, and a fatal helicopter crash in New Jersey.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Peace Talks at Mar-a-Lago: War in Ukraine

(Starts at 00:02)

• President Trump is preparing to meet with President Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago in an effort to push forward peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
• Madeleine Rivera details Ukraine’s willingness “to do whatever it takes to end the war,” including making significant compromises.
  • Zelenskyy’s recent comments reflect this openness:

    “That includes many compromises. But there are still sticking points in the 20 point plan like territorial issues, control of a Russian-occupied power plant and security guarantees.” – Madeleine Rivera (00:20)

• A notable development:
  • Zelenskyy has indicated Ukraine is willing to pull back troops from certain parts of the Donbass region if Russia reciprocates with equivalent territorial withdrawals, and the area is designated a demilitarized zone.
  • This is described as a “major concession” by Ukraine, reflecting the gravity of negotiations.
• President Trump reportedly spoke by phone with President Putin of Russia prior to the Zelenskyy meeting.
  • Another call is anticipated after the Mar-a-Lago talks conclude.
  • Reflects Trump’s hands-on diplomacy approach.
• Notable Quote:

  “Earlier, President Trump spoke by phone with Russia’s President Putin and says they intend to hold another phone call after today’s meeting with Zelensky.” – Jack Callahan (00:49)

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2. Minnesota Fraud Probe Deepens

(Starts at 01:05)

• Ongoing federal investigations into an alleged fraud scheme involving Minnesota daycare centers.
• Key details from Connor Hanson:
  • New viral video by independent journalist Nick Shirley exposes daycare centers receiving millions in taxpayer funds, but with “no signs of children there.”
  • Example: One center’s sign reads “leering center” instead of “learning,” with blacked out windows and empty premises on a weekday.
  • “Some had blacked out windows and most had no signs of children there on a weekday.” (Connor Hanson, 01:20)
• The Small Business Administration has frozen more than $5 million in federal support, according to a letter sent to Governor Tim Walz.
  • Governor Walz asserts, “anyone involved will go to prison.”

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3. Severe Winter Weather Impacting Holiday Travel

(Starts at 02:31)

• Weather update from Brian Klotz:
  • Another major winter storm is developing in the upper Midwest, with blizzard warnings in Minnesota, Northern Iowa, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
  • Wisconsin under a winter storm warning.
  • Heavy snow and strong winds are causing hazardous travel conditions and flight disruptions.

  • “Blizzard warnings, heavy snow, strong winds—that’s going to lower visibility, make driving really tough, going to slow down plane travel as well, particularly across that region.” – Brian Klotz (02:41)

• Current travel impact:
  • Over 440 flights canceled and nearly 4,700 delayed nationwide.

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4. Flu Outbreak in New York State

(Starts at 03:35)

• Deborah Valentine reports:
  • New York reports more than 71,000 flu cases in the week ending December 20—a record high, and a 38% jump from the previous week.
  • Hospitalizations have also risen 38%, with 3,666 reported in one week.
  • State officials are urging flu vaccinations and basic preventative measures.

  • “New York state is reporting more than 71,000 cases of the flu for the week ending December 20. It’s the highest total ever recorded in a single week, represents a 38% increase from the week before.” – Deborah Valentine (03:36)

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5. Fatal Helicopter Crash in New Jersey

(Starts at 04:15)

• Two helicopters collided in Hamilton, New Jersey; one person is dead, another critically injured.
• Crash occurred at around 11:25 AM.
• “One person is dead, another has been left critically injured in the crash of two helicopters over a southern New Jersey town.” – Jack Callahan (04:15)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Ukrainian President Zelensky says they’re willing to do whatever it takes to end the war and that includes many compromises.” – Madeleine Rivera (00:18)
• “President Trump spoke by phone with Russia’s President Putin and says they intend to hold another phone call after today’s meeting with Zelensky.” – Jack Callahan (00:49)
• “Some had blacked out windows and most had no signs of children there on a weekday.” – Connor Hanson (01:20)
• “Blizzard warnings, heavy snow, strong winds—that’s going to lower visibility, make driving really tough, going to slow down plane travel as well, particularly across that region.” – Brian Klotz (02:41)
• “New York state is reporting more than 71,000 cases of the flu...It’s the highest total ever recorded in a single week.” – Deborah Valentine (03:36)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 – Trump-Zelenskyy peace talks at Mar-a-Lago overview
• 00:18 – Zelenskyy’s willingness to compromise and specifics of Ukraine’s potential concessions
• 00:49 – Trump’s phone call with Putin and upcoming diplomacy
• 01:05 – Minnesota fraud probe and viral daycare investigation
• 02:31 – Winter weather and travel disruptions in the Midwest
• 03:35 – Flu outbreak in New York State
• 04:15 – Helicopter crash in New Jersey

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This episode provides a brisk yet comprehensive update, with a tone that is urgent and factual, reflecting the fast-moving pace of national and international news. Listeners receive headline coverage of high-stakes diplomacy, domestic scandals, severe weather threats, and public health concerns.

Transcript

[Jack Callahan]

Searching for a solution to the war in Ukraine. I'm Jack Callahan, Fox News. President Trump about to meet with Ukraine's President Zelensky of Mar a Lago this afternoon to discuss on the going negotiations in the war with Russia. As Fox's Madeleine Rivera reports, Ukrainian President.

[Madeleine Rivera]

Volodymyr Zelensky says they're willing to do whatever it takes to end the war and that includes many compromises. But there are still sticking points in the 20 point plan like territorial issues, control of a Russian occupied power plant and security guarantees. In what could be a major concession, last week Zelensky reportedly said Ukraine would be willing to pull back troops in parts of the Donbass region it still controls. But that's only if Russia does the same from an equal area of land and the area turns into a demilitarized zone.

[Jack Callahan]

Earlier, President Trump spoke by phone with Russia's President Putin and says they intend to hold another phone call after today's meeting with Zelensky. Scrutiny is growing around alleged fraud scheme in Minnesota as federal officials claim billions have been stolen. SPOX's Connor Hanson reports.

[Connor Hanson]

For years now there have been allegations of widespread fraud and investigations in Minnesota. But now there's even more scrutiny following a new video that's gone viral coming from an independent journalist visiting daycare centers in the state that are receiving millions apparently in tax dollars. With no signs of children there, 23 year old journalist Nick Shirley visited one business that couldn't even spell its name correctly with a sign saying leering center. Instead of learning some had blacked out windows and most had no signs of children there on a weekday.

[Jack Callahan]

The Small Business Administration has sent a letter to Minnesota's Governor Tim Walz claiming that more than $5 million in federal annual support is being frozen. Despite being accused of allowing the scheme to happen, the governor says anyone involved will go to prison. America is listening to FOX News.

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[Jack Callahan]

Winter weather threatening to complicate an already busy holiday travel season. Spot weather meteorologist Brian Klotz explains.

[Brian Klotz]

We have another round of winter weather. So we saw the one that passed through across the Northeast another one developing across portions of the upper Midwest. Blizzard warnings, heavy snow, strong winds. That's going to lower visibility, make driving really tough, going to slow down plane travel as well, particularly across that region. As you're looking at least some delays across all of the upper Midwest as we watch this system march from the Northern Plains ultimately running up to the Northeast. The leading edge of this being all rain, it's the backside that is snow you're talking about maybe a foot of snow falling that's going to cause that blizzard. With all the wind drifting, could be a real issue. Now as you watch the system continue to progress off towards the east, that leading edge is going to be mostly rain.

[Jack Callahan]

Blizzard warnings are in place for Minnesota, Northern Iowa and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Wisconsin is under a winter storm warning. So far, there have been more than 440 flight cancellations in the US today and nearly 4700 flight delays. All those holiday get togethers may have had a health related downside, as Fox's Deborah Valentine reports.

[Deborah Valentine]

New York state is reporting more than 71,000 cases of the flu for the week ending December 20th. It's the highest total ever recorded in a single week, represents a 38% increase from the week before. Flu related hospitalizations rose 38% from the previous week with 3,666 hospitalizations reported, up from 2,251 the week before. State leaders are urging vaccinations and preventative steps such as washing hands, staying home when sick and avoiding contact with people who are symptomatic. Deborah Valentine, Fox News 1 person is dead.

[Jack Callahan]

Another has been left critically injured in the crash of two helicopters over a southern New Jersey town. Police in Hamilton, New Jersey, say the crash happened about 11:25 this morning. I'm Jack Kellogg. This is FOX News.

[Deborah Valentine]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Jack Callahan]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.