US President Donald Trump recently met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, expressing optimism about the potential for significant progress in efforts to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. During this discussion, Trump indicated that a breakthrough was “getting a lot closer” but acknowledged remaining challenges, particularly concerning territorial agreements between Ukraine and Russia.
Zelenskyy highlighted the need for long-term security guarantees from the United States to effectively deter further Russian aggression. He stated that the current proposal under consideration would encompass a 15-year term, a timeframe he deemed insufficient, suggesting instead a duration of up to 50 years. Despite expressing mutual respect during their press conference, both leaders noted the complexities involved in reaching a conclusive peace agreement.
The meeting occurred shortly after a violent Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Zelenskyy asserted that they were “90 percent” of the way toward an agreement on a 20-point peace plan, with military aspects already fully discussed. However, specific details remained elusive.
European leaders, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of the UK, were subsequently involved in conversations following the US-Ukraine discussions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen commended progress but insisted on having robust security guarantees as a prerequisite for any successful negotiation.
Trump pointed out that disagreements persist, particularly regarding issues of land and control over significant regions, including the contentious Donbas area and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. While optimistic, he cautioned that critical issues, such as a demilitarized zone, await resolution.
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