Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky said talks in Florida advanced efforts to end the Ukraine war. Trump said negotiators still face thorny and unresolved issues. Both leaders described the discussions as strong and constructive. Trump said territorial questions remain the main obstacle. Russia continues to demand further land concessions from Ukraine.
Territory dominates the agenda
Speaking at Mar-a-Lago, Zelensky said negotiators agreed on ninety percent of a twenty point peace plan. Trump said talks nearly finalised security guarantees for Ukraine. He said the guarantees reached about ninety five percent completion. Zelensky confirmed further negotiations would take place next week. Ukrainian and American teams will focus on remaining disputes.
Kyiv signals confidence after talks
Zelensky later praised the talks in a public statement. He said both teams achieved meaningful progress in recent weeks. Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow now controls about twenty percent of Ukrainian territory. The war has continued for nearly four years.
Donbas question remains unresolved
Trump said negotiators failed to settle the future of Donbas. Russia controls most of the eastern region. Trump told reporters some land has already changed hands. He said other areas could shift over coming months. Moscow controls about seventy five percent of Donetsk and almost all of Luhansk. The regions together form Donbas.
Clashing visions for eastern Ukraine
Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from remaining Donbas territory. Kyiv firmly rejects that demand. Ukrainian officials propose a free economic zone instead. Ukrainian forces would secure the area under that plan. Both sides remain far apart on this issue.
Trump reflects on past reversals
Trump has repeatedly shifted his position on occupied Ukrainian territory. In September he suggested Ukraine could regain lost land. He later stepped back from that view. Trump called the issue extremely difficult but solvable. He said negotiators would ultimately resolve it.
Security guarantees near completion
Trump said security guarantees for Ukraine stand close to finalisation. He avoided firm commitments on troop deployments or logistics. He raised the possibility of trilateral talks with Russia and Ukraine. Trump said such talks could happen at the right moment. He warned negotiations could still fail.
Risk of a prolonged conflict
Trump wants to claim progress toward ending the war. He warned that stalled or abandoned talks could extend the fighting. He said negotiations that collapse would change little. His remarks highlighted uncertainty around the process.
Trump holds call with Putin
Earlier Trump spoke by phone with Vladimir Putin. He shared few details about the conversation. Trump said he believed Putin wanted Ukraine to succeed. He also acknowledged Russian opposition to a ceasefire referendum. Trump said he understood Moscow’s position.
Kremlin dismisses temporary ceasefire
Russian adviser Yuri Ushakov said Trump initiated the call. Ushakov said leaders discussed European and Ukrainian proposals. He said Trump listened to Moscow’s assessment. Ushakov said both leaders rejected a temporary ceasefire. He argued such a pause would prolong the war.
Europe prepares next diplomatic steps
Zelensky said Ukrainian officials could visit the White House in January. European leaders may join those discussions. Delegations continue shaping plans for future talks. Ursula von der Leyen welcomed progress from the Florida meeting. She stressed the need for strong security guarantees from the start.
Paris talks planned for January
Emmanuel Macron said allies would meet in Paris next month. He said partners would finalise concrete security commitments. Macron announced the plan after speaking with Zelensky and Trump. The meeting will gather members of the Coalition of the Willing.
