President Donald Trump mentioned that groups are “getting quite a bit nearer, perhaps very shut” to reaching a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia after chatting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and having a gathering with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida on Sunday.
“We had a terrific assembly. We mentioned lots of issues. As , I had a superb cellphone name with President Putin that lasted for over two hours. We mentioned lots of factors, and I do suppose we’re getting quite a bit nearer,” Trump mentioned.
The president mentioned they lined “95%” of the problems wanted to finish the struggle. Trump then detailed the decision with European leaders after his bilateral assembly with Zelenskyy, indicating that it went effectively.
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shake palms at a information convention following a gathering at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago membership, December 28, 2025, in Palm Seaside, Fla.
Joe Raedle/Getty Photographs
Zelenskyy thanked Trump for internet hosting the assembly and in addition famous how shut the groups had been to reaching a peace deal.
“We now have an awesome achievements, a 20-point peace plan, 90% agreed, and U.S.-Ukraine safety ensures, 100% agreed. The U.S.-Europe-Ukraine safety ensures nearly agreed. Army dimension, 100% agreed. Prosperity plan being finalized, and we additionally mentioned the sequencing of the next actions. And we agree that safety ensures is the important thing milestone in reaching lasting peace, and our groups will proceed engaged on all features,” Zelenskyy mentioned.
On territory and a doable demilitarized zone
When requested what continues to be the thorniest problem in trying to succeed in a peace settlement to finish the struggle, Trump mentioned that it’s territory.
“Effectively, I believe the land you are speaking about, a few of that land has been taken. A few of that land is perhaps up for grabs, however it might be taken over the following interval of various months, and are you higher off making a deal now — look, let me let you know, they’ve been very courageous. They fought very laborious, and proceed to battle very laborious and do super harm,” Trump mentioned, talking concerning the Ukrainian navy.
Trump was requested whether or not the events had agreed to territory swaps or the proposed demilitarized zone within the Donbas, which might imply that neither Russia nor Ukraine would management the territory. Trump indicated that “agreed” was too sturdy a phrase to make use of, however did say progress was made on the problem.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and President Donald Trump finish their press convention at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago membership, in Palm Seaside, Fla., December 28, 2025
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Trump was then pressed a couple of latest Kremlin assertion saying that Ukraine has to surrender the Donbas area totally, which he mentioned was a problem that the groups must “iron out.”
“Effectively, that is what they have been asking for,” Trump mentioned, referring to Russia. “And, , there is a dispute about that. So they are going to should iron that out. That is a problem they should iron out. … I believe it is transferring in the precise path,” he added.
When Zelenskyy was requested concerning the problem of territory within the ongoing discussions, he mentioned Ukraine’s place is “very clear,” which is why Trump mentioned “this can be a very powerful query.”
“We now have to respect our regulation and our folks. We respect the territory which we management. And naturally, that our angle could be very clear. That is why President Trump mentioned that is very powerful query. And naturally, we have now with Russians completely different positions on it,” Zelenskyy mentioned.
On a doable ceasefire
Trump was requested about whether or not Russia would conform to a ceasefire, even when only for a protracted sufficient interval for Ukraine to carry a referendum on components of a peace deal. Trump indicated that it’s a sticking level within the negotiations.
“Not a ceasefire. And that is one of many factors that we’re engaged on proper now. … He feels that look, , they’re preventing and to cease after which, if they’ve to begin once more, which is a risk, he does not need to be in that place. I perceive that place,” Trump mentioned.
President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Seaside, Fla., December 28, 2025.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Trump mentioned that they’re “discovering ways in which we will get round that.”
Earlier within the day on Sunday, when pressed by reporters on whether or not Putin is critical about peace, contemplating Russia’s relentless assaults on Ukraine — together with dozens of drone strikes on Ukraine in a single day, in keeping with the air pressure in Kyiv — Trump reiterated that he thinks Putin is “critical.”
“No, he’s very critical. I believe, , I can say that. I consider Ukraine has made some very sturdy assaults additionally,” Trump mentioned. “Look, the folks of Ukraine need it to finish, and the folks of Russia need it to finish, and the 2 leaders need it to finish.”
On subsequent steps
Zelenskyy and Trump each mentioned negotiations would proceed within the coming weeks. Trump mentioned that Zelenskyy and different European leaders would meet, presumably on the White Home, within the coming weeks to proceed negotiations.
Trump mentioned if issues go “very well,” a peace settlement may very well be reached in “a couple of weeks,” but it surely’s additionally doable {that a} breakthrough by no means comes.
Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump arrive at a press convention following talks at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Seaside, Fla., December 28, 2025.
Jim Watson/AFP through Getty Photographs
“However , in a couple of weeks we’ll know by hook or by crook,” Trump mentioned, including, “It has been a really troublesome negotiation.”
The U.S. delegation current on the talks, per the White Home, included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chief of Employees Susie Wiles, U.S. Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff, Joint Chiefs of Employees Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum, White Home advisor Stephen Miller, and Jared Kushner, the president’s son in regulation.
