MAR-A-LAGO, Fla. – U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky concluded a high-stakes meeting in Florida, announcing significant headway toward a potential resolution to the nearly four-year war in Ukraine, though critical territorial disputes remain unresolved.
Both leaders characterized the discussions as ‘great,’ revealing that approximately 90% of a comprehensive 20-point peace plan had been mutually agreed upon. President Trump specified that negotiations concerning security guarantees for Ukraine were ‘close to 95%’ finalized. However, he identified the status of the Donbas region—a territory in eastern Ukraine largely occupied by Russian forces—as the primary obstacle, describing it as a ‘very thorny issue.’
The strategic eastern region of Donbas, comprising Donetsk and Luhansk, remains a focal point of contention. Moscow currently controls roughly 75% of Donetsk and nearly all of Luhansk. Russia demands that Ukraine relinquish the small portion of the territory it still holds in Donbas, while Kyiv proposes transforming the area into a demilitarized free economic zone under Ukrainian policing.
President Trump, whose stance on reclaimed Ukrainian territories has fluctuated, noted the complexity of the matter, stating, ‘Some of that land has been taken… Some of that land is maybe up for grabs.’ He expressed confidence that a resolution was forthcoming, albeit acknowledging the challenges.
In a significant diplomatic development, Trump revealed he had recently spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he claimed ‘wants Ukraine to succeed.’ Russian foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov confirmed the call was initiated by Trump and centered on EU and Ukrainian peace proposals. Both leaders reportedly concurred that a temporary ceasefire, as suggested by the EU and Ukraine, might inadvertently prolong the conflict.
Looking ahead, Zelensky announced that U.S. and Ukrainian negotiating teams will reconvene next week, with a potential high-level meeting at the White House in January, possibly including European leaders. This aligns with statements from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who praised the ‘good progress’ from the Florida talks while stressing the necessity of ‘ironclad security guarantees from day one’ for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron separately announced a planned meeting of allied nations in Paris next month to solidify concrete security contributions.
Despite the optimism, President Trump cautioned that the peace process remains fragile, warning that stalled negotiations could lead to a continuation of the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 and has resulted in Moscow controlling approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.