Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky said Florida talks pushed efforts to end the Ukraine war forward. Trump said difficult and unresolved issues still remain. Both leaders described the meeting as constructive and positive. Trump said territorial disputes continue to block a final agreement. Russia maintains demands for additional Ukrainian land.
Borders and land shape the talks
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 placed completion at roughly ninety five percent. Zelensky said further negotiations would take place next week. Ukrainian and American teams will target remaining disagreements.
Kyiv underlines recent progress
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 stretched on for almost four years.
Donbas future still unsettled
Trump said negotiators did not 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 coming months. Moscow controls about seventy five percent of Donetsk and nearly all of Luhansk. Together the regions make up Donbas.
Rival plans for eastern Ukraine
Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from its 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 plan. The opposing visions remain far apart.
Trump notes shifting positions
Trump has repeatedly adjusted his stance on occupied Ukrainian land. In September he suggested Ukraine could reclaim territory. He later reversed that position. Trump called the issue very difficult but resolvable. He said negotiators would find a solution.
Security guarantees near final stage
Trump said security guarantees for Ukraine stand close to completion. He avoided firm commitments on troops or logistical support. He raised the possibility of trilateral talks with Russia and Ukraine. Trump said such talks could happen at the right time. He warned negotiations could still collapse.
Risk of talks breaking down
Trump wants progress toward ending the conflict. He warned stalled or abandoned talks could prolong the war. He said negotiations that go badly would change nothing. His comments reflected uncertainty around diplomacy.
Trump speaks with Putin
Earlier Trump held a phone call with Vladimir Putin. He offered few details from the conversation. Trump said he believed Putin wanted Ukraine to succeed. He also noted Russian opposition to a ceasefire referendum. Trump said he understood that position.
Moscow rejects temporary pause
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 rejected a temporary ceasefire. He argued such a pause would prolong the conflict.
Europe plans next steps
Zelensky said Ukrainian officials could visit the White House in January. European leaders may join those meetings. Delegations continue preparing 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 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 the Coalition of the Willing.
