Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky stated that progress was made in efforts to end the Ukraine conflict during discussions held in Florida. However, the US leader noted that 'one or two very thorny issues' remain unresolved. Both the US and Ukrainian presidents described their talks as 'great,' though Trump reiterated that territorial disputes remain a sticking point, particularly concerning Russia's demands for more land.
Speaking at Mar-a-Lago, Zelensky revealed that they had agreed on 90% of a 20-point peace plan, while Trump mentioned that a security guarantee for Ukraine was 'close to 95%' complete. Zelensky added that US and Ukrainian teams are scheduled to meet the following week for further discussions to address the nearly four-year-old conflict involving Russia.
On Telegram, Zelensky stated, 'We had a substantive conversation on all issues and highly value the progress made by the Ukrainian and American teams over the past weeks.' Russia initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, now controlling roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory. Discussions on turning the Donbas region, heavily controlled by Russia, into a demilitarized zone remain 'unresolved,' according to Trump. 'Some of that land has been taken,' Trump told reporters. 'Some of that land is maybe up for grabs, but it may be taken over the next period of a number of months.'
Moscow currently dominates about 75% of the Donetsk region and approximately 99% of Luhansk. Collectively, these regions are known as Donbas. Russia wants Ukraine to relinquish control of its remaining land in Donbas, whereas Kyiv has proposed transforming the area into a free economic zone overseen by Ukrainian forces.
The US president has repeatedly shifted his stance on Ukraine's territories, surprising many in September by suggesting Ukraine could potentially regain lost land before reversing his position. 'That is a very tough issue,' he acknowledged. 'One that will get resolved.'
Trump indicated that security guarantees for Ukraine are '95% done' but didn't commit to providing logistical support or deploying troops to safeguard Ukraine from future threats. He also proposed the possibility of trilateral talks involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine, noting it could occur 'at the right time.'
While eager to add the Ukraine-Russia conflict to his list of resolved disputes, Trump warned that failed negotiations might prolong the war.