US President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, even as Russia stepped up missile and drone strikes on Kyiv. Both leaders struck an optimistic note, suggesting a peace deal was closer than ever, though they acknowledged that critical issues — including territory, security guarantees and control of occupied infrastructure — remain unresolved.
Trump said negotiations were nearing completion, while Zelenskyy described the meeting as productive, stating Ukraine was “ready for peace” and that talks had delivered “significant results”, despite pending final decisions. The meeting followed Trump’s phone conversation earlier the same day with Russian President Vladimir Putin, held against the backdrop of renewed Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Putin’s influence looms
Trump characterised his call with Putin as “excellent”, with the Kremlin calling it friendly and businesslike. Trump said Russia wanted Ukraine to succeed and described Putin as “very generous” in his outlook — remarks that unsettled some of Kyiv’s supporters. Still, unlike earlier encounters, the sequence of Trump speaking to Putin before meeting Zelenskyy did not lead to visible tension between the US and Ukrainian leaders.
Peace plan nearly finalised
At the centre of discussions was a revised 20-point peace framework refined over recent weeks. Zelenskyy said the plan was “90% agreed”, while Trump avoided percentages but indicated negotiations were close to completion. Security guarantees emerged as a key area of alignment, with Zelenskyy calling them essential to lasting peace. The two sides agreed their teams would meet again next week to finalise remaining details.
Territory remains the biggest hurdle
Both leaders acknowledged that the status of the eastern Donbas region remains unresolved. Trump described it as the toughest issue but suggested compromise could be pragmatic. Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s firm stance, noting that any territorial settlement would require either a referendum or parliamentary approval, and only after a ceasefire — something Moscow has yet to accept.
Security guarantees and Nato question
Zelenskyy said US–Ukraine security guarantees were fully agreed in principle, while Trump said talks were about 95% complete, stressing that European nations would need to shoulder much of the responsibility with US support. Washington has floated Nato-like guarantees, even as Zelenskyy signalled he could drop Ukraine’s formal Nato bid if equivalent protections were offered — a proposal Russia continues to oppose.
Nuclear plant still contentious
Another unresolved issue is the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, under Russian control since early in the war. Trump said the facility was discussed extensively and suggested Putin was open to cooperation, including a possible joint operational arrangement — an idea Zelenskyy is known to oppose.
Europe joins the process
Following their meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy held a joint call with European leaders, including the European Commission president and heads of the UK, France, Germany, Poland and Finland. European leaders welcomed progress but stressed the need for strong, immediate security guarantees.
A narrow window
Trump cautioned that talks could still collapse, saying clarity would emerge within weeks. While he once claimed the war could be ended in a day, he now openly acknowledged its complexity. Even as diplomacy gains momentum, Russian strikes continue on the ground, underscoring the fragile path toward peace.
