Florida, December 28: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for high-stakes talks aimed at moving closer to a peace agreement to end the nearly four-year war with Russia.
Both leaders acknowledged progress but said major issues remain unresolved, particularly territorial disputes and security guarantees.
Progress and Remaining Challenges
At a joint press briefing following their meeting, Trump said that Ukraine and Russia were **“a lot closer” to a peace deal than before, perhaps 95% of the way there, but emphasized that a final settlement had not yet been reached.
Zelenskiy confirmed that discussions had advanced on a security guarantees framework which would protect Ukraine after the war, a central demand of Kyiv. However, he stressed that several key elements, including the future status of the Donbas region, remain contentious.
The talks focused on a revised multi-point peace proposal, developed by Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators, that aims to establish a comprehensive roadmap for ending the conflict and rebuilding Ukraine. The draft plan includes reaffirmation of Ukrainian sovereignty, non-aggression commitments, security guarantees analogous to NATO protections, and provisions for economic reconstruction.
Context of the War and Diplomacy
The meeting took place amid intensified Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, which Kyiv has characterized as attempts by Moscow to pressure Ukraine diplomatically.
Ahead of the Florida talks, Trump also held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which he described as “productive,” although the Kremlin has remained reluctant to agree to an immediate ceasefire without significant concessions from Ukraine.
Territorial and Strategic Disputes
Key unresolved issues include territorial control of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine and the fate of strategic assets such as the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Ukraine insists on retaining sovereignty over its internationally recognized borders, while Russia has demanded formal recognition of its control over several occupied areas.
Trump indicated that although the parties are making headway, these disputes are among “very tough” points still under negotiation.
Next Steps and International Role
Trump expressed cautious optimism that a peace deal could be finalized “in a few weeks”, but warned there is still a possibility such an agreement might not materialize.
Zelenskiy has stressed the importance of involving European partners more deeply in the peace process, although the immediate focus remains on U.S.-Ukrainian negotiations.
Summary
The Florida summit between Zelenskiy and Trump marked a significant diplomatic effort to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. Both leaders described progress, especially on security guarantees and a comprehensive peace framework, but acknowledged that fundamental disputes especially over territory and strategic control continue to block a final agreement.
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