Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky said Florida talks advanced efforts to end the Ukraine war. Trump said serious and unresolved issues still block a final agreement. Both leaders described the discussions as constructive and encouraging. Trump said territorial disputes remain the central challenge. Russia continues to demand additional Ukrainian land.
Territory shapes the peace process
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 about ninety five percent. Zelensky said negotiations would continue next week. Ukrainian and American teams will focus on unresolved matters.
Kyiv highlights recent momentum
Zelensky later praised the talks in a public statement. He said both teams made strong progress in recent weeks. Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow now controls around twenty percent of Ukrainian territory. The conflict has continued for almost four years.
Donbas remains a sticking point
Trump said negotiators failed to resolve the future of Donbas. Russia controls most of the eastern region. Trump told reporters some land has already been taken. He said other areas could change hands in the coming months. Moscow controls about seventy five percent of Donetsk and nearly all of Luhansk. Together the regions form Donbas.
Competing visions for the east
Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from remaining Donbas territory. Kyiv continues to reject that demand. Ukrainian leaders propose a free economic zone instead. Ukrainian forces would police the area under that proposal. The gap between both positions remains wide.
Trump reflects on shifting positions
Trump has repeatedly changed his stance on occupied Ukrainian land. In September he suggested Ukraine could regain lost territory. He later reversed that view. Trump called the issue very difficult but solvable. He said negotiators would eventually settle it.
Security guarantees near completion
Trump said security guarantees for Ukraine are 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.
Warning over prolonged fighting
Trump wants progress toward ending the conflict. He warned stalled or abandoned talks could extend the war. He said negotiations that collapse would change little on the ground. His comments underlined uncertainty around the process.
Trump discusses war with Putin
Earlier Trump spoke by phone with Vladimir Putin. He shared few details of the conversation. Trump said he believed Putin wanted Ukraine to succeed. He also acknowledged Russian opposition to a ceasefire referendum. Trump said he understood that stance.
Kremlin rejects 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 presidents rejected a temporary ceasefire. He argued such a pause would prolong the conflict.
Europe prepares next diplomatic steps
Zelensky said Ukrainian officials could visit the White House in January. European leaders may join those meetings. Delegations continue preparing plans for further talks. Ursula von der Leyen welcomed progress from the Florida discussions. She stressed the need for strong security guarantees from the start.
Paris talks 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 the Coalition of the Willing.
