The meeting took place on Sunday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where the two leaders engaged in detailed negotiations on the framework for ending the conflict. Speaking afterward at a joint press conference, Trump said the peace process was approaching a decisive phase. He indicated that the coming weeks would determine whether the negotiations ultimately succeed, noting that trust between the parties had grown and that talks had progressed significantly.
Zelensky echoed the cautiously optimistic tone, calling the discussions constructive and affirming that important consensus had emerged on the broader architecture of peace. According to both leaders, the most substantial progress has been made on security guarantees for Ukraine, a cornerstone issue that Kyiv has long insisted is essential for any lasting settlement.
Zelensky stated that full agreement had effectively been reached on Ukraine’s security assurances, while Trump said that roughly 95 percent of the security framework had been finalized. Under the emerging understanding, European countries are expected to play a leading role in providing these guarantees, with the United States offering support. Both leaders stressed that without credible and enforceable security arrangements, any ceasefire or peace deal would remain fragile.
Despite the advances, significant obstacles persist. The future of the Donbas region continues to be the most contentious point in the negotiations. Russia has reportedly demanded a complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the area, a condition Kyiv is unwilling to accept. Trump acknowledged that Donbas remains an extremely difficult issue but said discussions on the matter are continuing.
Zelensky made clear that Ukraine cannot relinquish territory it currently controls without the consent of its citizens. He indicated that any such decision would require public approval and that the option of a referendum remains open, underscoring the political and constitutional sensitivities surrounding territorial concessions.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, both sides have framed the next few weeks as critical for determining whether the talks can translate into a formal agreement. If successful, the negotiations could mark a turning point in a war that has reshaped European security and global geopolitics. While major hurdles remain, the latest meeting has injected renewed optimism into a process long marked by stalemate and uncertainty.
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