Former US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy have declared significant headway in negotiations to end the war with Russia, following an extensive meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
Substantial Progress on a 20-Point Framework
The two leaders engaged in roughly two hours of discussions on Monday, 29 December 2025, focusing on a comprehensive peace framework. In a subsequent press conference, both hailed the talks as "excellent" and covering "all aspects" of a proposed 20-point plan.
President Trump stated that Ukraine is now "a lot closer" to securing a deal, adding, "We've made a lot of progress on ending that war." He suggested the final outcome would be clear within a few weeks, though cautioned that "one or two very thorny issues" persist.
Mr Zelenskyy provided a numerical assessment, indicating the peace plan was 90% agreed. On the critical matter of long-term US-Ukraine security guarantees, the Ukrainian president claimed they were 100% agreed, though Trump later tempered this, placing the figure at 95%.
The Thorny Issues: Donbas and Security
When pressed on the remaining obstacles, Trump pointed directly to the status of Ukrainian territory, specifically the eastern Donbas region. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has demanded control of Donbas as a condition for peace, a proposition Ukraine has historically rejected.
"I have to respect our law and our people," Zelenskyy stated, affirming Ukraine's clear position on its sovereign territory. "That's why President Trump said this is a very tough question."
Trump also commented on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, under Russian occupation since February 2022. He claimed Putin was "working with Ukraine on getting it open" and had been "very good" in not targeting it with missiles.
International Coordination and Ongoing Violence
Following their bilateral meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy held a call with European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. A Downing Street spokesperson said Sir Keir was committed to "sustaining momentum" and praised Trump's role in driving international support.
This diplomatic push occurred against a backdrop of continued violence. Just days before the talks, Russia launched attacks on Kyiv, and on Sunday, guided bombs struck Sloviansk, killing one person and injuring three.
The Mar-a-Lago summit represents the latest step in Trump's year-long effort to broker a ceasefire, a promise he made during his presidential campaign. The US leader, who also spoke with Vladimir Putin ahead of the meeting, insisted the Russian president was "very serious" about peace, despite the ongoing assaults.
