Politics
Trump Says Ukraine, Russia Are In ‘Final Stages’ Of Peace Talks After Mar-A-Lago Meeting
President Donald Trump provided a hopeful update on the arduous peace talks between Ukraine and Russia after he and senior cabinet, as well as leading military officials met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Mar-A-Lago on Sunday.
Sunday’s meeting lasted for about three hours and included a teleconference with European leaders. While speaking with reporters afterwards, both Trump and Zelensky described weeks of intense negotiations involving U.S., Ukrainian, European Union and NATO officials that have progressively built towards an outline of a 20-point peace framework.
Negotiations still face significant hurdles, however, particularly regarding territorial changes and security guarantees for Ukraine.
Trump described the talks as productive and optimistic, stating that the parties are “closer than ever” to a peace deal, with 95 percent of issues settled, and emphasized that “we’re getting a lot closer, maybe very close.”
He did acknowledge that “one or two very thorny issues, very tough issues,” remain, but reiterated that he is overall optimistic about recent progress. The president praised Zelensky as a “brave gentleman” who has “worked very hard.”
Happening Now—President Trump welcomes Zelensky to Mar-a-Lago… pic.twitter.com/Meye6YMuUu
— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) December 28, 2025
Trump further expressed hope that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants the war to end, saying, “Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed… President Putin was very generous in his feeling toward Ukraine succeeding, including supplying energy, electricity and other things at very low prices.”
The president described his pre-meeting call with Putin as “good and very productive” while urging the Kremlin to agree to a peace deal. Too many people died, and I think both presidents want to make a deal,” he said, warning that without a resolution, the war could “go on for a long time, and millions of additional people will be killed.”
Zelensky summarized the discussions as a “really great discussion” where “we discussed all the aspects of the peace framework,” expressing thanks to Trump and his team, and stating that the U.S. and Ukraine are “90 percent agreed” on the revised 20-point peace plan and “100 percent agreed” on security guarantees.
The Ukrainian president highlighted remaining difficulties in the “last 10 percent,” and prior to the meeting, emphasized Ukraine’s need for peace. “We want peace, and Russia demonstrates a desire to continue the war. If anyone — whether the U.S. or Europe — is on Russia’s side, this means the war will continue,” he said.
Key issues remaining include territorial concessions, particularly Russia’s demands for control over the Donbas region and other captured areas like parts of eastern Ukraine and Crimea, which Ukraine has in the past rejected as a “red line.”
Ukraine is also demanding a strict ceasefire to be observed for at least 60 days, in order to allow for a referendum on a peace framework. Russia has opposed a temporary truce and opted to launch a devastating drone barrage on the Ukrainian capital of Kiev just days before the meeting.
Trump plans to speak with Putin again immediately after the meeting, while U.S. and European officials are expected to continue talks with Russia in the coming days.
