Trump signals peace deal nearing after Zelenskyy talks, but admits land disputes and security guarantees remain unresolved as diplomacy intensifies amid ongoing fighting….reports Asian Lite News
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that a negotiated settlement to end the Russia–Ukraine war is “very close”, following extended talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. While striking an optimistic tone, Trump acknowledged that several sensitive issues — particularly over disputed territory in eastern Ukraine — remain unresolved.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Trump described the discussions with Zelenskyy as productive and wide-ranging, suggesting that momentum towards a peace framework has accelerated in recent weeks through parallel engagement with Moscow and European leaders.
“We had a terrific meeting. We discussed a lot of things,” Trump said. “I had an excellent phone call with President Putin. It lasted over two hours. We covered a lot of points. I do think we’re getting a lot closer — maybe very close.”
Trump framed the negotiations as part of a broader diplomatic push involving Ukraine, Russia and key European stakeholders. He said he had also spoken with European leaders shortly before and after the meeting with Zelenskyy, adding that progress had been made towards what he described as ending “probably the deadliest war since World War II”.
Despite the upbeat assessment, Trump conceded that significant obstacles remain. Asked about the most difficult outstanding issues, he pointed directly to territory seized by Russian forces during the conflict.
“The land,” Trump said. “Some of that land has been taken. You’re better off making a deal now.” He declined to specify how much of the proposed agreement had been finalised, but suggested negotiations were nearing their final stages.
The fate of eastern Ukraine, particularly the Donbas region — which Russia has demanded Kyiv formally relinquish — continues to loom as one of the most contentious elements of any settlement. Trump acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue while indicating that discussions were moving forward.
“That’s a big issue,” he said, standing alongside Zelenskyy. “Certainly one of the big issues. And I think we’re closer.”
Trump emphasised that ending the war was a personal priority, repeatedly returning to the humanitarian toll of the conflict. “Everybody wants it ended,” he said. “I want it ended because I don’t want to see so many people dying.”
Zelenskyy, for his part, struck a cautiously optimistic note, saying the talks covered all major elements of a potential peace framework and reflected growing convergence between Washington and Kyiv.
“We had great discussions on all the topics,” Zelenskyy said. “We appreciate the progress that the American and Ukrainian teams have made in recent weeks. We discussed all aspects of the peace framework.”
According to Zelenskyy, negotiators have already reached substantial agreement on several components of a proposed 20-point peace plan presented by Ukraine. He said there was “90 per cent agreement” on the overall framework, full agreement on US–Ukraine security guarantees, and near-complete alignment on broader US–Europe–Ukraine security arrangements.
“The military dimension is 100 per cent agreed,” Zelenskyy said, adding that discussions were continuing on a proposed economic recovery and prosperity plan, as well as the sequencing of next steps.
Security guarantees, Zelenskyy stressed, remain central to Kyiv’s position. “We agreed that security guarantees are a key milestone in achieving lasting peace,” he said. “Ukraine is ready for peace.”
The high-profile meeting took place against a backdrop of continued fighting on the ground. Zelenskyy’s visit to the United States came just days after a major Russian attack that killed at least two people. On the day of the Mar-a-Lago talks, Russian strikes reportedly killed at least one person and injured several others in the eastern city of Sloviansk.
Before hosting Zelenskyy, Trump held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which he later described as “very productive”. The Kremlin also characterised the exchange as friendly and businesslike, though it reiterated Moscow’s scepticism towards a temporary ceasefire.
According to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, both leaders agreed that a short-term ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and its European backers “would only prolong the conflict and risk a resumption of hostilities”.
Diplomatic engagement continued beyond Washington and Moscow. Trump and Zelenskyy held a joint call with European leaders, including the heads of government from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Norway, as well as NATO’s Secretary General and the President of the European Commission.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the hour-long call focused on “concrete steps” to end the war. “We are all working towards a just and lasting peace,” he wrote.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen later welcomed what she described as positive movement. “There was good progress, which we welcomed,” she said, while stressing that “ironclad security guarantees from day one” would be essential for Europe’s support.
Trump said talks with Russia, Ukraine and European partners would continue in the coming days as negotiators attempt to bridge the remaining gaps. He is expected to hold another phone call with Putin, whose approval would be required for any final agreement.
