US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky say their recent talks in Florida marked significant progress toward ending the war in Ukraine, though Trump cautioned that several difficult issues are still unresolved.
Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago residence, Trump described the discussions as productive but said “one or two very thorny issues” remain, with territorial disputes at the center. Zelensky echoed the positive tone, saying both sides had reached agreement on about 90% of a proposed 20-point peace framework.
Trump added that negotiations over security guarantees for Ukraine were “close to 95% done,” though he stopped short of committing to specific measures such as troop deployments or logistical support.
The war began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory. One of the most contentious topics remains the future of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, much of which is under Russian control. Trump said proposals to make the area a demilitarised zone are still unresolved.
“Some of that land has been taken,” Trump said. “Some of it may be up for grabs, but that’s a very tough issue.”
Russia controls about three-quarters of Donetsk and nearly all of neighbouring Luhansk, collectively known as Donbas. Moscow wants Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining areas it holds there, while Kyiv has proposed turning the region into a free economic zone under Ukrainian security.
Zelensky said US and Ukrainian teams would meet again next week to continue talks aimed at ending what is now nearly four years of conflict. In a statement posted on Telegram, he said the discussions had been “substantive” and praised the progress made by both sides in recent weeks.
Trump also suggested that trilateral talks involving the US, Russia and Ukraine could take place “at the right time,” but warned that if negotiations collapse or stall badly, the war could continue.
Earlier, Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While offering few details, Trump said he believed Putin “wants Ukraine to succeed,” but acknowledged that Moscow opposes a ceasefire that would allow Ukraine to hold a referendum.
Russian foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said Trump initiated the call and that the two leaders discussed recent proposals from the EU and Ukraine. According to Ushakov, both agreed that a temporary ceasefire could end up prolonging the conflict.
Zelensky indicated that further meetings could take place at the White House in January, potentially involving European leaders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed what she called “good progress” in the Florida talks, while stressing the need for strong, immediate security guarantees for Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron said allies would gather in Paris early next month to finalise concrete commitments. “We will bring together the countries of the Coalition of the Willing to finalise each one’s contributions,” he said after speaking with both Trump and Zelensky.
