Trump says Ukraine peace deal ‘closer than ever’ after talks with Zelenskyy (Worthy News Radio)

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

PALM BEACH/KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – The president of the United States says negotiations to end Russia’s war against Ukraine are nearing completion, although unresolved territorial disputes remain. Donald J. Trump’s comments followed lengthy talks between the U.S. leader and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida.

President Trump struck a cautiously optimistic tone after more than two hours of talks with Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump said negotiators reviewed the latest version of his proposed peace framework, claiming a draft agreement aimed at ending Russia’s near four-year war against Ukraine is almost complete.

He acknowledged, however, that some of the most sensitive questions — especially the future of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region — remain unresolved. Those issues include territorial responsibility, the possible creation of a free-trade zone, and how Ukrainian and Russian forces would be separated.

TERRITORIAL QUESTIONS REMAIN MAJOR OBSTACLE

“The word ‘agree’ is too strong,” Trump said. “I wouldn’t say agreed, but we are getting closer to an agreement on that. And it’s a big issue, certainly.”

Despite those challenges, President Zelenskyy said significant progress had been made, particularly on security guarantees for Ukraine.

“We discussed all aspects of the peace framework,” Zelenskyy said. “The twenty-point peace plan is about ninety percent agreed. U.S.–Ukrainian security guarantees are one hundred percent agreed, and U.S.–European guarantees are almost complete.”

Zelenskyy stressed that security guarantees would be a “key milestone” in achieving what he described as lasting peace, adding that Ukraine is ready to move forward.

SECURITY GUARANTEES SEEN AS KEY

Zelenskyy also thanked President Trump for his personal engagement in the process, despite previous tensions between the two leaders earlier in the conflict.

They met while French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans for a meeting in Paris in early January to discuss Europe’s potential security contributions to Ukraine.

Trump confirmed that he also spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the meeting, focusing on steps to end a war that officials estimate has killed or wounded more than one million people.

“President Putin was very generous in his willingness to see Ukraine succeed,” Trump said, referring to discussions about energy supplies and reconstruction support.

NUCLEAR PLANT MAY REOPEN

Negotiators are also examining shared responsibility for Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, which has been under Russian occupation since the early months of the war.

Trump said the facility could restart under a localized ceasefire arrangement.

The apparent diplomatic momentum comes even as Russia continues to launch deadly drone and missile attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, underscoring the fragile security situation.

Zelenskyy cautioned that any final peace agreement would require approval by Ukraine’s parliament or through a national referendum.

Trump said he would be willing to address Ukraine’s legislature if that would help bring an end to what he described as Europe’s largest land conflict since the Second World War.

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