Trump and Zelenskyy Near Peace Agreement Amidst Lingering Challenges

Share and Follow

United States President Donald Trump has said he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were “getting a lot closer, maybe very close” to an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.

But both leaders acknowledged one or two “thorny issues” remain unresolved.

The two leaders spoke at a joint press conference on Monday AEDT after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Trump said it will be clear “in a few weeks” whether negotiations to end the war will succeed.

Zelenskyy said an agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine had been reached.

In a recent statement, former President Donald Trump conveyed a cautious optimism regarding progress toward an agreement, asserting that they are about 95 percent of the way there. Trump highlighted the expectation that European nations would assume a significant role in this endeavor, with the United States providing support.

Zelenskyy previously said he hoped to soften a US proposal for Ukrainian forces to withdraw completely from the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, a Russian demand that would mean ceding some territory held by Ukrainian forces.

Both Trump and Zelenskyy said on Monday AEDT the future of the Donbas had not been settled.

“It’s still unresolved, but we’re nearing a solution. It’s indeed a very tough issue,” Trump remarked, acknowledging the complexity of the situation.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived at Mar-a-Lago, amid increasing pressure from ongoing Russian air raids on Ukraine. His visit signifies an important diplomatic engagement amidst escalating tensions.

Just before Zelenskyy and his delegation arrived at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, the US and Russian presidents spoke in a call described as “productive” by Trump and “friendly” by Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov.

Ushakov, in Moscow, said Putin told Trump a 60-day ceasefire proposed by the European Union and Ukraine would prolong the war.

The Kremlin aide also said Ukraine needs to make a quick decision about land in the Donbas.

Prior to his arrival, Zelenskyy expressed his intention to discuss several crucial issues with Trump. The dialogue is set to include the contentious situation in the Donbas region, the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and other critical matters of mutual concern.

Russia hit the capital Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine with hundreds of missiles and drones on the weekend, knocking out power and heat in parts of Kyiv.

Zelenskyy has described the latest attacks as Russia’s response to the US-brokered peace efforts, but Trump said he believes Putin and Zelenskyy are serious about peace.

“I do think we have the makings of a deal,” Trump said.

“We have two willing countries. We are in the final stages of talking.”

Ukraine is advocating for the demarcation of current front lines, seeking to stabilize the map at its present state to potentially pave the way for peace and security.

Russia claims more battlefield advances

Russia has repeatedly insisted Ukraine yield all of the Donbas, even areas still under Ukraine’s control.

Ukraine wants the map frozen at the current front lines.

Russian officials have objected to other parts of the latest proposal, sparking doubts about whether Putin would accept whatever the Florida talks might produce.

Putin said he would continue waging the war if Ukraine did not seek a quick peace. Russia has steadily advanced on the battlefield in recent months, claiming control over several more settlements.