Trump Sees Progress in Ukraine Peace Talks, but Key Issues Remain

US President Donald Trump said significant progress has been made toward ending the war in Ukraine following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Florida, though he acknowledged that several “thorny issues,” particularly territorial disputes, remain unresolved.
Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago residence, Trump said agreement had been reached on most elements of a proposed peace framework, but the future status of occupied Ukrainian territory—especially in the eastern Donbas region—continues to pose a major challenge.
Zelensky, describing the talks as “great,” said Ukraine and the United States had agreed on roughly 90% of a 20-point peace plan aimed at ending Russia’s nearly four-year war against Ukraine. Trump added that discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine were “close to 95% done,” though he stopped short of committing to specific military or logistical support.
Russia currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, including most of the Donbas region. Moscow holds roughly 75% of Donetsk and nearly all of neighbouring Luhansk. Trump said a proposal to convert Donbas into a demilitarised zone remains unresolved, calling it one of the most difficult aspects of the negotiations.
“Some of that land has been taken,” Trump said. “Some of it may be up for grabs, but it’s a very tough issue.”
Russia has demanded that Ukraine withdraw from the remaining areas it controls in Donbas, while Kyiv has proposed turning the region into a free economic zone policed by Ukrainian forces—an idea Moscow has so far rejected.
Trump also revealed that he recently held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he believed Putin “wants Ukraine to succeed,” while acknowledging Russia’s opposition to any ceasefire that could allow Ukraine to hold a referendum on occupied territories.
Zelensky said US and Ukrainian negotiating teams would meet again next week to address outstanding issues, and suggested a possible meeting at the White House in January involving European leaders.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed what she described as “good progress” in the talks, while stressing the need for “ironclad security guarantees” for Ukraine from the outset of any agreement.
Trump said trilateral talks involving the US, Russia and Ukraine could take place “at the right time,” but cautioned that failed negotiations could prolong the conflict.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering Europe’s largest war since World War II.