Following their high-stakes meeting at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, on Sunday, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism, signaling that a peace deal on Ukraine is closer than ever.
Both leaders characterized their Florida summit as highly productive, suggesting that the framework for ending the war is nearly complete. President Trump estimated that 95% of the security arrangements are finalized, while President Zelensky noted that 90% of a comprehensive 20-point peace plan has been agreed upon.
The remaining “thorny issues”
Despite the momentum, the final 5–10% of the deal involves the most difficult political hurdles:
The Territorial Dispute: The primary sticking point remains the status of occupied lands, particularly in the Donbas region. Trump hinted that some land might be “up for grabs” or already effectively lost, while Zelensky maintained that any territorial concessions would require a national referendum, as he cannot unilaterally cede Ukrainian land.
Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The regions are collectively known as Donbas. Russia wants Ukraine to pull back from the small part of the territory it still controls in Donbas, while Kyiv has insisted the area could become a free economic zone policed by Ukrainian forces.
Security Guarantees: Security guarantees for Ukraine are “95% done”, Trump said, without formally committing to logistical support or troop deployment to help protect Ukraine from future attacks.
The “Putin Factor”: Trump mentioned that while he believes Putin is “serious about peace,” the Russian leader has not yet agreed to a ceasefire, fearing it might simply be used as a pause to re-arm.
What happens next?
The leaders have agreed to an intensive diplomatic schedule to bridge these final gaps:
January Summit: Trump is expected to host Zelensky and several European leaders in Washington in early January 2026 to finalize the deal.
Team Negotiations: Working groups from the U.S. and Ukraine will meet in the coming weeks to hash out the “economic dimension” of the plan and the specifics of a proposed “free economic zone” in contested areas.
Related: Zelensky Reveals New 20-Point Plan to End Russia-Ukraine War
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