Peace Breakthrough In Sight? Trump-Zelenskyy Talks Signal Russia-Ukraine War May Be Nearing A Turning Point
Before his meeting with Zelenskyy on Sunday, Trump said that Moscow and Kyiv were in the “final stages of talking”. Image courtesy: X.com/@ZelenskyyUa
In less than six months, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met his US counterpart Donald Trump, who has long been advocating a peaceful solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which will complete four years in February 2026. As the war drags on after years of diplomatic failures, fresh momentum toward a negotiated settlement seems to be building.
US President Trump and Zelenskyy were engaged in nearly three hours of closed-door talks on ways to resolve the issue, after which the former declared that a peace framework is nearing completion, with security guarantees for Ukraine almost finalised. He stated that negotiations were “very close”.
Trump even expressed optimism that a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine is close following their talks in Florida, even as the thorny issue of territory remains outstanding. “We have made a lot of progress on ending that war,” Trump noted during a news conference with Zelenskyy.
Trump-Zelenskyy meeting: Is peace deal close now?
Speaking after the meeting at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump struck a cautiously optimistic note, saying negotiations were “very close” to delivering a deal that could reshape the trajectory of Europe’s most devastating conflict since World War II.
Trump said US-Ukraine security guarantees, long viewed as Kyiv’s non-negotiable demand, are “close to 95%” complete, even as he avoided putting a precise figure on the progress. “Security arrangements are largely settled,” Trump indicated, suggesting they are no longer the principal hurdle to ending the war.
Zelenskyy echoed that assessment, saying security guarantees represent the “key milestone” toward a durable peace and that this core demand from Ukraine has now been fully addressed.
Russia-Ukraine conflict: A 20-point peace plan nears completion
According to Zelenskyy, a comprehensive 20-point peace plan is now roughly 90% agreed upon, marking the most advanced diplomatic effort since the war began. He added that US-Ukraine security guarantees were “100% agreed” to. Both leaders acknowledged that while no final agreement was announced, negotiations have entered a decisive phase.
Ukrainian and European delegations are expected to continue technical discussions in the coming weeks to iron out remaining issues.
Zelenskyy said Trump would host further talks in Washington in January, underscoring sustained US engagement in the peace process.
Donbas and Eastern Ukraine remain key sticking point
Despite progress, territorial questions, particularly in eastern Ukraine, remain unresolved. The Donbas region continues to be the most contentious issue in talks with Russia.
Asked whether an agreement had been reached on proposals such as a free trade or special economic zone in eastern Ukraine, Trump acknowledged that the matter remains unsettled. “It’s unresolved, but it’s getting a lot closer,” he said.
Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s firm stance, stressing that Kyiv’s position on Donbas remains “very clear” and fundamentally different from Moscow’s.
Trump signals timelines but no guarantees
Trump suggested that the war could potentially be resolved within “a few weeks”, while cautioning that success is not assured. He said, “In a few weeks we will know one way or the other”, reflecting both optimism and the fragility of the process. He also indicated that, at the right moment, the US, Ukraine and Russia could eventually sit down together for direct talks.
“I’m on the side of peace,” US President Trump declared.
Putin consulted, ceasefire still elusive
Before his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump said that Moscow and Kyiv were in the “final stages of talking” and had the “makings of a deal that’s good for Ukraine, good for everybody”. He even spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin hours before meeting Zelenskyy.
According to the US President, Putin expressed interest in seeing a settlement but stopped short of agreeing to a ceasefire. Trump said Putin was reluctant to halt fighting only to resume hostilities later, highlighting Moscow’s concerns over temporary pauses without firm guarantees.
What’s next for Russia-Ukraine peace plan?
Trump said he remains open to visiting Ukraine but would prefer to secure a deal first. He also revealed that he has offered to address the Ukrainian parliament if Zelenskyy believes it would help consolidate political support for an eventual agreement.
While major hurdles remain, especially over territory, the latest talks mark one of the clearest signs yet that sustained diplomacy, after years of stalemate, may finally be edging the Russia-Ukraine war toward a negotiated end.
