US President Donald Trump declared that peace talks for Ukraine are "closer than ever before" after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Sunday. The diplomatic push follows a phone call Trump described as "very productive" with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The meeting marks the latest phase in Trump's year-long effort to broker a ceasefire in the nearly four-year conflict. Trump told reporters: «I really believe we're probably… closer than, by far, closer than ever before – with both parties.»
Peace plan nears completion
A 20-point draft proposal is now "about 90 per cent ready," according to Zelensky. Trump indicated that security guarantee talks are "close to 95%" complete, with US-Ukraine security guarantees reportedly 100% agreed.
«We'll get it done,» Trump said on the steps of his Florida residence. «I do think we have the makings of a deal... We are in the final stages of talking.»
Despite the progress, Trump acknowledged «one or two very thorny issues» remain – primarily concerning the fate of eastern Ukraine's Donbas region. Russia wants Ukraine to cede the territory, while Zelensky has consistently rebuffed demands to relinquish control over the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.
Territorial concessions the key sticking point
The proposed US plan reportedly includes Ukraine withdrawing troops from Donbas, which Zelensky hopes to soften. He has indicated willingness to pull back forces from Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland if Russia reciprocates and the area becomes a demilitarized zone monitored by international forces.
Zelensky emphasized that any difficult plan requiring territorial changes would need parliamentary or referendum approval, including votes from Ukrainian refugees abroad. «If the plan will be very difficult for our society… our society has to choose and has to vote, because it's their land, the land not of one person. It's the land of our nation,» he said.
European leaders join multilateral talks
The meeting coincided with an hour-long conference call involving UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, and other European leaders. Downing Street stated the call «underlined the importance of robust security guarantees and reaffirmed the urgency of ending this barbaric war as soon as possible.»
Von der Leyen welcomed the progress: «There was good progress, which we welcomed. Europe is ready to keep working with Ukraine and our US partners to consolidate this progress.» She emphasized that «Paramount to this effort is to have ironclad security guarantees from day one.»
European leaders have stipulated that any agreement must allow Ukraine to maintain an 800,000-strong peacetime military and join the EU. French President Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir have insisted on Nato forces monitoring any ceasefire – a condition Russia is expected to oppose.
Russian strikes precede talks
Russia launched nearly 500 drones and 40 missiles on Kyiv on Saturday, just before the scheduled talks. The attacks killed at least two people and left dozens hospitalized, including two children, while causing large-scale power cuts during sub-zero winter temperatures.
Zelensky pointed to the strikes as evidence that Putin "doesn't want peace." However, Trump described Putin as «very serious» about ending the war and said he plans to speak with the Russian leader again.
According to Kremlin spokesperson Yuri Ushakov, Trump and Putin share a «broadly similar view» that a temporary ceasefire would «prolong the conflict.» He urged Ukraine to decide on Donbas «without delay.»
Next steps unclear
Trump said the success of the talks will be «clear in a few weeks» and expects to host European leaders and a Ukrainian delegation in January, possibly in Washington. He praised Zelensky as «very brave» and anticipated «economic benefits» for Ukraine from a deal.
Zelensky, who met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney before flying to Florida, posted on X: «Ukraine is willing to do whatever it takes to stop this war.» He added: «We need to be strong at the negotiating table.»
The proposed peace plan includes US security guarantees mirroring Nato's Article 5, which would trigger a collective military response if Ukraine is attacked. Trump indicated European countries are expected to «take over a big part» of the security guarantees effort with US backing.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
