Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky said talks in Florida moved efforts to end the Ukraine war forward. Trump said progress came alongside unresolved and thorny issues. Both leaders described the meeting as positive and productive. Trump stressed that territorial questions still blocked a final deal. Russia continues to demand further land concessions from Ukraine.
Land and borders dominate negotiations
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 estimated the guarantees reached about ninety five percent completion. Zelensky confirmed more negotiations would follow next week. Ukrainian and American teams will address remaining disputes.
Kyiv highlights diplomatic gains
Zelensky later praised the discussions in a public statement. He said recent weeks brought meaningful progress between both teams. Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow now occupies roughly one fifth of Ukrainian territory. The conflict has continued for nearly four years.
Donbas future remains unclear
Trump said negotiators failed to resolve the status of Donbas. Russia controls most of the eastern region. Trump told reporters some land had already changed hands. He said other areas could shift in coming months. Moscow controls about seventy five percent of Donetsk and almost all of Luhansk. Together the regions form Donbas.
Competing plans for eastern regions
Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from remaining Donbas territory. Kyiv continues to reject that demand. Ukrainian officials propose a free economic zone. Ukrainian forces would secure the area under that plan. The gap between both positions remains wide.
Trump acknowledges shifting views
Trump has repeatedly revised his position on occupied Ukrainian land. In September he suggested Ukraine might regain territory. He later retreated from that view. Trump called the issue extremely difficult but solvable. He said negotiators would eventually reach an agreement.
Security guarantees near final stage
Trump said security guarantees for Ukraine stand close to completion. He avoided firm commitments on troops or logistics. He raised the idea of trilateral talks with Russia and Ukraine. Trump said such talks could happen at the right moment. He warned negotiations could also collapse.
Warning of prolonged war
Trump wants to claim success in ending the Ukraine conflict. He warned stalled or failed talks could extend the war. He said negotiations that go badly would change nothing on the ground. His remarks reflected ongoing uncertainty.
Trump speaks with Putin
Earlier Trump held a phone call with Vladimir Putin. He shared few details about the conversation. Trump said he believed Putin wanted Ukraine to succeed. He also noted Russian opposition to a ceasefire referendum. Trump said he understood Moscow’s stance.
Kremlin rejects ceasefire proposal
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 opposed a temporary ceasefire. He argued such a pause would only prolong the war.
Europe prepares next round
Zelensky said Ukrainian officials could meet at the White House in January. European leaders may attend those talks. Delegations continue shaping plans for future negotiations. Ursula von der Leyen welcomed progress from the Florida meeting. She stressed the need for strong security guarantees from the start.
Paris meeting set 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.
