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Florida talks yield partial agreement on Ukraine peace framework
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced significant progress toward ending the nearly four-year war during a meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, though key territorial disputes remain unresolved.
90% of peace plan agreed, but Donbas remains a sticking point
Zelensky told reporters that negotiators had reached consensus on roughly 90% of a 20-point peace proposal, while Trump stated that security guarantees for Ukraine were "close to 95% done." However, both leaders acknowledged that territorial concessions-particularly in the eastern Donbas region-remain a major obstacle.
Russia currently occupies about 75% of Donetsk and 99% of Luhansk, collectively known as Donbas. Moscow has demanded Ukraine withdraw from the remaining areas it controls, while Kyiv has proposed transforming the region into a demilitarized economic zone under Ukrainian oversight.
"Some of that land has been taken. Some of that land is maybe up for grabs, but it may be taken over the next period of a number of months."
Donald Trump, addressing reporters after the meeting
Security guarantees nearly finalized, but US commitment unclear
Trump confirmed that security assurances for Ukraine were "95% done" but stopped short of detailing whether the US would provide logistical support or troop deployments. He also suggested the possibility of trilateral talks involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine "at the right time."
Earlier, Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing the conversation as productive. He claimed Putin "wants Ukraine to succeed" but noted that Moscow opposes a ceasefire that could allow Ukraine to hold a referendum on territorial disputes.
Russian foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov later stated that the call was initiated by Trump and that both leaders agreed a temporary ceasefire proposed by the EU and Ukraine would prolong the conflict rather than resolve it.
Next steps: White House meeting and European security talks
Zelensky announced that US and Ukrainian delegations would convene next week to finalize remaining issues, with a potential White House meeting in January that could include European leaders. The European Commission's Ursula von der Leyen praised the Florida talks as showing "good progress" but stressed the need for "ironclad security guarantees from day one."
French President Emmanuel Macron also revealed plans for a Paris summit in early January, where members of the "Coalition of the Willing" will discuss concrete contributions to Ukraine's security.
War's toll and shifting US stance on territory
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, and Moscow now controls roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory. Trump's position on Ukraine's lost lands has fluctuated; in September, he suggested Ukraine might reclaim some areas before later walking back the statement.
"That is a very tough issue. One that will get resolved."
Donald Trump on territorial disputes
