PALM BEACH, Florida: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that negotiations to end the war in Ukraine are moving significantly closer to an agreement, following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence. While progress has been made on major sticking points, Trump acknowledged that the future of the contested Donbas region remains unresolved.
Speaking after their meeting, Trump said Washington and Kyiv are “very close” to a deal and that it should become clear within weeks whether negotiations will succeed. He noted that while some difficult territorial questions remain, discussions are heading in what he described as the right direction.
Zelenskiy said understandings have been reached on security guarantees for Ukraine, calling them essential for any lasting peace. Trump offered a more cautious assessment, saying talks on guarantees were about 95% complete and emphasizing that European countries would take on a substantial role in providing long-term security support, with backing from the United States.
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The question of eastern Ukraine continues to pose the greatest challenge. Russia has demanded full control of the Donbas region, while Ukraine has resisted calls to withdraw its forces entirely, preferring to freeze the conflict along current battle lines. Trump said the United States is exploring compromise options, including economic arrangements tied to the region, though no final decision has been reached.
Zelenskiy reiterated that any peace agreement would require approval either by Ukraine’s parliament or through a national referendum. Trump said he would be prepared to address Ukrainian lawmakers directly if that would help secure domestic backing for a deal.
The meeting with Zelenskiy came shortly after Trump held a lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Trump described as productive. According to the Kremlin, Putin rejected proposals for a 60-day ceasefire backed by Ukraine and European states, arguing it would only extend the conflict. Trump said Putin expressed interest in supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction after the war, including through energy cooperation, a remark that drew a restrained reaction from Zelenskiy.
Trump said he plans to speak again with Putin following his discussions with the Ukrainian leader. Russian officials publicly welcomed Trump’s mediation efforts, signaling Moscow’s support for continued negotiations.
Talks have also touched on the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been under Russian control. Trump said progress has been made toward arrangements that could allow the facility to resume operations, noting that recent restraint around the site represents a positive step.
The diplomatic push comes amid ongoing hostilities. Just days before Zelenskiy’s visit, Russian forces launched large-scale missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other cities, disrupting electricity and heating supplies. Zelenskiy said the strikes underscored Moscow’s pressure tactics, while Trump maintained that both sides appear serious about pursuing peace despite continued fighting on the ground.
European leaders participated in parts of Sunday’s discussions by phone. European Union officials and British leaders stressed that any settlement must include robust security guarantees for Ukraine and expressed readiness to work closely with Washington to bring the war to an end as soon as possible.
– Gram Dysa
