Ukraine Peace Talks Advance as Trump, Zelensky Cite Progress but Unresolved Disputes
Former US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have said their recent talks in Florida marked significant progress toward ending the war in Ukraine, though difficult issues remain unresolved.
Speaking after the meeting at Mar-a-Lago, Trump described the discussions as productive but acknowledged that major challenges persist, particularly over territorial claims. Zelensky disclosed that about 90 per cent of a proposed 20-point peace framework has been agreed, while Trump said negotiations on security guarantees for Ukraine were nearly complete.
The Ukrainian leader said both countries’ teams would reconvene next week to continue talks aimed at ending Russia’s nearly four-year invasion, which began in February 2022 and has left Moscow in control of roughly 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory.
Trump noted that proposals concerning the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, much of which is occupied by Russian forces, remain unsettled. Russia currently controls most of Donetsk and almost all of neighbouring Luhansk, and has demanded that Ukraine withdraw from the remaining areas it holds. Kyiv, however, has proposed turning the region into a demilitarised or special economic zone under Ukrainian oversight.
While Trump said security guarantees for Ukraine were close to being finalised, he stopped short of committing to troop deployments or specific enforcement mechanisms. He also suggested that direct talks involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine could take place at an appropriate time.
Earlier, Trump confirmed he held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the Kremlin leader expressed interest in Ukraine’s future success. Russian officials later said the call focused on peace proposals from Europe and Ukraine, with both leaders agreeing that a temporary ceasefire could prolong the conflict rather than resolve it.
European leaders welcomed the reported progress but stressed the need for firm security assurances. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for “ironclad guarantees” for Ukraine, while French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans for a meeting in Paris next month to coordinate allied support and security commitments.
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