Florida: Ukraine peace talks have advanced after detailed discussions between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, though both sides have acknowledged that critical issues remain unresolved, particularly concerning territorial control.
Following meetings at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, both leaders described the talks as productive. Trump said that most aspects of a proposed 20-point peace framework had been agreed but noted that ‘one or two very thorny issues’ continued to block a final deal. The most sensitive of these has remained the question of land, especially in eastern Ukraine.
Zelensky said that negotiators had reached agreement on around 90 percent of the revised peace plan, adding that discussions on US security guarantees for Ukraine were nearing completion. Trump said that security commitments were close to 95 percent agreed, while cautioning that progress would stall if remaining disputes could not be resolved.
Ukraine peace talks have focused heavily on the future of the Donbas region, parts of which remain under Russian control. Zelensky has previously suggested that a free economic zone could be considered as a compromise, though Moscow has yet to publicly respond to the proposal. Russia currently controls most of Donetsk and nearly all of neighbouring Luhansk, together known as Donbas.
Trump has also raised the possibility of trilateral talks involving the US, Russia and Ukraine, saying such discussions could take place at an appropriate moment. Earlier, Trump held a phone call with Vladimir Putin, during which the two leaders discussed European and Ukrainian proposals for ending the conflict.
Russian foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said Trump had listened to Moscow’s assessment of the peace proposals, adding that both leaders believed a temporary ceasefire would prolong the war rather than resolve it. Putin later said that Kyiv was not moving quickly towards a peaceful settlement and warned that Russia would pursue its objectives militarily if talks failed.
Meanwhile, Ukraine peace talks have continued against the backdrop of intensified fighting. Russian forces have carried out heavy missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, causing deaths, injuries and widespread damage to energy infrastructure. Ukrainian officials said nearly 500 drones and 40 missiles had been launched during recent assaults, leaving around 40 percent of homes in Kyiv and nearby districts without heating.
European leaders have reiterated their support for Ukraine. Ursula von der Leyen described the Florida talks as making good progress but stressed the need for ironclad security guarantees. Emmanuel Macron said allied nations would meet in Paris next month to finalise contributions to Ukraine’s long-term security.
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