Palm Beach, Florida – U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a high-profile meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort on 28 December aimed at advancing long-running efforts to negotiate an end to the nearly four-year conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Both leaders conveyed cautious optimism about progress, though key territorial and security disputes remain unresolved.
The talks, the latest in a series of diplomatic engagements, unfolded amid continued Russian military pressure on Ukrainian cities and a broader international push to secure a negotiated settlement before the start of 2026.
Trump greeted Zelenskyy on the steps of the Florida estate, projecting a cooperative tone as negotiations entered what U.S. officials described as an advanced stage.
At a joint press briefing after the meeting, Trump suggested that the United States and Ukraine were “a lot closer” to a peace deal while acknowledging that “thorny issues” remained, particularly over contested regions such as the Donbas.
He said negotiators were working towards finalising key elements of a peace framework that could set terms for an eventual ceasefire and long-term security arrangements.
Zelenskyy, for his part, confirmed that negotiators had agreed on most components of a revised 20-point peace plan, describing portions of it as “90 per cent agreed” between the U.S. and Ukrainian teams.
Leaders also discussed security guarantees that would help safeguard Ukraine’s future, with Trump’s administration reportedly offering assurances lasting up to 15 years, a proposal Zelenskyy said was an important step, even as Kyiv had sought a longer commitment.
Despite the expressed progress, Russian resistance to some terms remains firm. Moscow has rejected aspects of the peace framework and continues to press for territorial concessions, while denying Ukrainian actions in a recent alleged drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence claims Ukraine dismissed as unfounded and potentially designed to undermine diplomatic momentum.
Putin informed Trump of the allegation in a phone call, escalating tensions even as peace diplomacy continues.
International reactions to the Mar-a-Lago meeting have been mixed. European and Canadian leaders held a virtual summit on 30 December to reaffirm their support for a U.S.-led push for peace, emphasising that any agreement must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and long-term security.
Officials also underscored the need for continued military assistance and unity among Western partners as negotiations carry on.
While both Trump and Zelenskyy stressed the urgency of moving talks forward quickly, Trump warned that peace was not guaranteed, suggesting that a definitive outcome could emerge “in a few weeks”.
Observers note that although the meeting at Mar-a-Lago signalled diplomatic engagement at the highest level, substantial gaps over territorial control and security guarantees mean any final agreement remains a work in progress.
As the year draws to a close, Ukraine’s government continues to call for sustained international support, both militarily and economically, while pursuing a peace that would allow the war-torn nation to rebuild and ensure its territorial integrity.
The U.S. and its allies are expected to continue consultations in the coming weeks, with additional meetings scheduled in Europe and Washington.
Sources: Reuters, France24, Associated Press
