Trump says Ukraine peace deal still faces ‘tough’ issues after Florida meeting

The United States President, Donald Trump, said on Sunday that a Ukraine peace deal is close but still faces unresolved issues, following a two-hour meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida.

Trump said the talks, held at his Mar-a-Lago residence, focused on a draft agreement aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. He said the proposal was nearly complete but acknowledged disagreements over territory, particularly the future of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region.

Trump said the deal was “closer than ever” and estimated it was “95% done,” adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin also wanted the war to end.

The US President said there were “one or two tough” remaining issues related to how the conflict would conclude and expressed understanding of Russia’s position on a ceasefire. “You have to understand the other side,” he said.

Trump also said he had offered to travel to Kyiv to address Ukraine’s parliament ahead of a possible vote on a peace plan, though he suggested the visit might not be necessary. Zelenskyy responded: “You are always welcome.”

Zelenskyy thanked Trump and members of his team, including envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and said negotiators from both countries had made progress on a 20-point peace plan.

Despite the statements, there was little indication that a final agreement had been reached. When asked about the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, which has been under Russian control since 2022, Trump said Putin was no longer targeting the facility.

The meeting followed a phone call between Trump and Putin earlier on Sunday. Trump said both leaders wanted the conflict to end and believed negotiations could move quickly. “I do think we have the makings of a deal. We have two willing countries. We are in the final stages of talking,” he said.

Speaking alongside Trump, Zelenskyy said about “90%” of the draft agreement had been settled but confirmed that the Donbas question remained unresolved.

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On Truth Social, Trump described his call with Putin as “good and very productive” and said he believed the Russian leader was serious about peace.

Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said Trump had listened to Moscow’s position and reiterated Russia’s opposition to a ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and European leaders.

The Florida meeting took place against a backdrop of continued fighting. Russia said its forces had captured several settlements in eastern and southern Ukraine, while Ukraine rejected the claims and said its defences were holding.

Zelenskyy ruled out territorial concessions and proposed a demilitarised zone along the current frontline, with a possible referendum if Russia agrees to a ceasefire lasting between 60 and 90 days. Security guarantees remain a central issue.

Trump has not committed the US to defending Ukraine militarily, and questions remain over how any agreement would prevent renewed conflict.

The talks came after large-scale Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv over the weekend, which killed four people and left hundreds of thousands without power.

Trump declined to condemn the strikes and said Ukraine had also carried out attacks.

Zelenskyy said the Florida meeting focused mainly on US-Ukraine relations, including security guarantees, military conditions, and the sequence for implementing any agreement. He added that European leaders would be consulted through a video call and that further talks were expected in the coming days.

(The Guardian UK)