Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky said talks in Florida advanced efforts to end the Ukraine war. Trump said several difficult issues still block a final agreement. Both leaders described the meeting as productive and encouraging. Trump said territorial disputes remain the central obstacle. Russia continues to demand additional Ukrainian land.
Territorial disputes remain key
Speaking at Mar-a-Lago, Zelensky said negotiators agreed on ninety percent of a twenty point peace plan. Trump said talks nearly finalised security guarantees for Ukraine. He said progress reached about ninety five percent. Zelensky confirmed negotiations would continue next week. Ukrainian and American teams will focus on unresolved issues.
Kyiv highlights steady progress
Zelensky later praised the talks in a public statement. He said both teams achieved significant results in recent weeks. Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow now controls around twenty percent of Ukrainian territory. The war has continued for nearly four years.
Donbas status remains unsettled
Trump said negotiators failed to resolve the future of Donbas. Russia controls most of the eastern region. Trump told reporters some land has already been taken. He said other areas could shift hands over the coming months. Moscow controls about seventy five percent of Donetsk and almost all of Luhansk. Together the regions form Donbas.
Competing approaches for the east
Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from remaining Donbas territory. Kyiv continues to reject that demand. Ukrainian officials propose a free economic zone instead. Ukrainian forces would secure the area under that plan. The divide between both sides remains wide.
Trump reflects on past reversals
Trump has repeatedly adjusted his stance on occupied Ukrainian territory. In September he suggested Ukraine could regain lost land. He later reversed that position. Trump called the issue extremely difficult but solvable. He said negotiators would eventually reach a solution.
Security guarantees near completion
Trump said security guarantees for Ukraine are close to finalisation. He avoided firm commitments on troop deployments or logistics. He raised the possibility of trilateral talks with Russia and Ukraine. Trump said such talks could happen at the right time. He warned negotiations could still fail.
Warning on prolonged conflict
Trump wants progress toward ending the war. He warned stalled or abandoned talks could extend the fighting. He said negotiations that collapse would change little on the ground. His comments highlighted ongoing uncertainty.
Trump speaks with Putin
Earlier Trump held a phone call with Vladimir Putin. He shared few details about the conversation. Trump said he believed Putin wanted Ukraine to succeed. He also acknowledged Russian resistance to a ceasefire referendum. Trump said he understood that position.
Kremlin rejects temporary ceasefire
Russian adviser Yuri Ushakov said Trump initiated the call. Ushakov said leaders discussed European and Ukrainian proposals. He said Trump listened to Moscow’s assessment. Ushakov said both leaders rejected a temporary ceasefire. He argued such a pause would prolong the conflict.
Europe prepares next steps
Zelensky said Ukrainian officials could visit the White House in January. European leaders may join those meetings. Delegations continue preparing for further negotiations. Ursula von der Leyen welcomed progress from the Florida talks. She stressed the need for strong security guarantees from the start.
Paris meeting planned for January
Emmanuel Macron said allies would meet in Paris next month. He said partners would finalise concrete security commitments. Macron announced the plan after speaking with Zelensky and Trump. The meeting will gather the Coalition of the Willing.
