US and Ukraine 'a lot closer' on peace deal, Trump says after meeting with Zelenskiy
 

During a joint news conference at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday, President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced that they are nearing a potential agreement to end the war in Ukraine. Trump characterized the progress as being "very close," noting that the timeline for success or failure should become evident within the next few weeks.

The discussions focused heavily on the two most difficult aspects of the conflict: ensuring Ukraine’s future security and resolving the status of the Donbas region. While Zelenskiy stated that a consensus on security guarantees had been reached, Trump was more conservative, estimating they were about 95% toward a final deal. Trump emphasized that European nations would be expected to spearhead the security efforts with American backing.

Support for these security measures was echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who confirmed via social media that progress had been made. Macron announced that a "Coalition of the Willing" would convene in Paris during early January to establish specific contributions for Ukraine's long-term protection.

Despite the optimism regarding security, the territorial dispute over the Donbas remains a major obstacle. Russia currently occupies the vast majority of the region and demands a total Ukrainian withdrawal. In contrast, Ukraine seeks to maintain the current battle lines to avoid ceding further territory. To bridge this gap, U.S. negotiators have suggested the creation of a "free economic zone" in the region, though the specifics of its implementation have yet to be defined.

The diplomatic efforts also involve direct communication with Moscow. Just before his meeting with Zelenskiy, Trump held a two-hour phone call with Vladimir Putin. Trump described the conversation as "productive," claiming that Putin expressed a desire to see Ukraine succeed and even offered to assist in rebuilding the country by providing affordable energy.

However, the Kremlin’s official stance remains rigid. Russian officials rejected a proposed 60-day ceasefire, arguing it would merely delay the conflict's end. They also pressured Ukraine to make a definitive decision regarding the Donbas immediately. This pressure comes alongside continued military action, as Russia launched a massive missile and drone strike against Kyiv just a day before the Florida summit.

Another key topic of negotiation involved the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Negotiators have proposed a shared-control model for the facility. Trump noted that progress has been made to the point where the plant could potentially resume operations quickly, particularly as it has remained largely intact despite the ongoing fighting.

Ultimately, Zelenskiy underscored that any peace deal reached in these talks would require the legal approval of the Ukrainian people, either through a parliamentary vote or a national referendum. Demonstrating his commitment to the process, Trump stated he would be willing to speak directly to the Ukrainian parliament if it would help finalize the peace agreement.