Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky said talks in Florida strengthened efforts to end the Ukraine war. Trump said difficult issues still prevent a final breakthrough. Both leaders described the meeting as productive and positive. Trump said territorial disputes remain the key challenge. Russia continues to demand further Ukrainian land.
Territorial disputes dominate discussions
Speaking at Mar-a-Lago, Zelensky said negotiators agreed on ninety percent of a twenty point peace plan. Trump said talks nearly completed security guarantees for Ukraine. He said progress reached roughly ninety five percent. Zelensky said negotiations would resume next week. Ukrainian and American teams will tackle unresolved questions.
Kyiv points to steady diplomatic advances
Zelensky later welcomed the talks in a public statement. He said both teams achieved solid progress in recent weeks. Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow now controls about one fifth of Ukrainian territory. The war has continued for nearly four years.
Donbas remains unresolved
Trump said negotiators failed to decide 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 in the coming months. Moscow controls about seventy five percent of Donetsk and almost all of Luhansk. Together the regions form Donbas.
Conflicting approaches to eastern Ukraine
Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from remaining Donbas territory. Kyiv continues to reject that demand. Ukrainian officials propose a free economic zone instead. Ukrainian forces would secure the area under that plan. The distance between both positions remains wide.
Trump acknowledges earlier reversals
Trump has repeatedly adjusted his position on occupied Ukrainian territory. In September he suggested Ukraine could regain lost land. He later stepped back from that claim. Trump called the issue extremely difficult but solvable. He said negotiators would reach an agreement.
Security guarantees near final agreement
Trump said security guarantees for Ukraine stand close to completion. 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 time. He warned negotiations could still break down.
Risk of prolonged conflict remains
Trump wants progress toward ending the conflict. He warned stalled or abandoned talks could extend the war. He said negotiations that fail would change little on the battlefield. His comments highlighted ongoing uncertainty.
Trump speaks directly with Putin
Earlier Trump spoke by phone with Vladimir Putin. He offered few details from the discussion. Trump said he believed Putin wanted Ukraine to succeed. He also noted Russian opposition to a ceasefire referendum. Trump said he understood that position.
Kremlin rejects temporary ceasefire plan
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 conflict.
Europe prepares next phase of talks
Zelensky said Ukrainian officials could visit the White House in January. European leaders may join those meetings. Delegations continue preparing plans for further negotiations. Ursula von der Leyen welcomed progress from the Florida talks. She stressed the need for strong security guarantees from the start.
Paris meeting scheduled 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 bring together the Coalition of the Willing.
