Trump says Russia and Ukraine are 'maybe very close' to peace deal after Zelenskyy meeting
President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the possibility of a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, stating that the teams are 'getting a lot closer, maybe very close' after a series of meetings and discussions. Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida, where they covered a range of issues related to the ongoing conflict.
During the meeting, Trump highlighted the progress made, noting that 95% of the issues needed to end the war have been addressed. He also mentioned a 20-point peace plan, with 90% of the points agreed upon, and US-Ukraine security guarantees, which were 100% agreed upon. The US-Europe-Ukraine security guarantees were nearly agreed, and the military dimension was fully supported.
However, Trump acknowledged that territory remains a contentious issue. He suggested that some land has already been taken, and some is potentially up for grabs, but may be secured over the next few months. Trump emphasized the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian military, who have been fighting hard and causing significant damage.
When asked about territory swaps and a demilitarized zone in the Donbas, Trump indicated that progress has been made, but the word 'agreed' might be too strong. He also addressed a recent Kremlin statement demanding Ukraine's complete surrender of the Donbas region, which he described as a matter for the teams to resolve.
Zelenskyy, in response to a question about territory, stated that Ukraine's position is 'very clear,' emphasizing the need to respect the law and the people. He also mentioned differing positions on the issue with the Russians.
Regarding a ceasefire, Trump mentioned that it is a point of contention in the negotiations. He expressed understanding of Russia's reluctance to stop fighting and potentially restart, indicating that they are exploring ways to overcome this obstacle.
Despite Russia's relentless attacks on Ukraine, including dozens of drone strikes, Trump maintained his belief that Putin is 'serious' about peace. He acknowledged the desire for an end to the conflict from both the Ukrainian and Russian people.
Looking ahead, Trump and Zelenskyy agreed that negotiations would continue in the coming weeks, with potential meetings involving European leaders, possibly at the White House. Trump suggested that a peace settlement could be reached in a few weeks if everything goes 'really well,' but also acknowledged the possibility of no breakthrough.
The US delegation present at the talks included high-ranking officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and White House advisor Stephen Miller, among others.
