Trump–Zelenskyy Meeting Report
Trump–Zelenskyy Meeting Report
Meeting Date: December 28 2025
Location: Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida, USA
1. Background & Purpose of the Meeting
The meeting aimed to advance negotiations toward a peace framework to end the nearly four-year war between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine’s leadership brought a revised 20-point peace proposal focused on halting hostilities, providing security guarantees, and addressing territorial disputes that have been central points of contention in talks.
Prensa Latina
U.S. President Donald Trump also held a substantive phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin prior to the meeting, which he described as productive and useful for the peace process.
ABC News
2. What Happened at the Meeting
In Person Talks
Trump and Zelenskyy held a bilateral meeting lasting nearly two hours at Mar-a-Lago. Both presidents greeted the media before the talks and later held a joint press appearance to discuss the progress made.
The Kyiv Independent
During the discussions:
Both leaders described the talks as productive and promising, but no final peace agreement was announced.
Helsinki Times
Trump stated that the Ukraine - Russia peace deal was “closer than ever” and that a significant portion of the peace framework (around 90-95 %) has been agreed in principle.
AP News
Zelenskyy confirmed that most aspects of the 20 point peace plan were close to finalization, with ongoing work to resolve remaining differences.
Helsinki Times
3. Key Points of Agreement & Contention
Progress on the Peace Framework
Both leaders emphasized significant progress on the peace plan, particularly around:
Security guarantees for Ukraine seen as essential for a lasting peace and preventing future aggression.
The Guardian
General parameters of a demilitarized zone and end to active hostilities, with most of the detailed points discussed and nearing finalization.
Eurasia Business News
Territorial Disputes
The most challenging unresolved issues remain territorial, especially:
The future status of the Donbas region and how borders might be settled. Trump acknowledged these issues as “thorny” and still unresolved, even though negotiations are progressing.
The Moscow Times
Zelenskyy reiterated that any resolution regarding territory must respect Ukrainian law and the will of its people, potentially even through a referendum.
The Guardian
4. Statements from Both Leaders
Donald Trump
Claimed the peace deal was “closer than ever before” and that the negotiators were approaching the final stages of agreement.
The Irish News
Noted that some difficult issues remain but expressed optimism that they could be resolved in upcoming talks.
Helsinki Times
After the meeting, Trump highlighted ongoing engagement not only with Zelenskyy but also with European allies on the peace roadmap.
The Guardian
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Acknowledged the progress made, saying Ukrainian teams had worked closely on the peace plan but emphasizing that security guarantees remain paramount.
The Guardian
Stressed that territorial issues would require careful handling and societal input.
The Guardian
5. Next Steps & Outlook
Continued Negotiations
Both leaders agreed that further diplomacy is needed before any formal peace deal can be concluded. Teams from both countries are expected to continue working in the coming weeks to finalize unresolved points, especially those related to territory and international security arrangements.
Helsinki Times
Broader Diplomatic Engagement
Following the talks, Trump and Zelenskyy coordinated with several European leaders and NATO partners to align on next steps and strengthen the peace framework through multilateral support.
The Guardian
6. Analysis: Progress vs. Practical Reality
While the meeting was widely described by both leaders as positive and constructive, independent analysts and media noted that the summit did not produce a concrete breakthrough on core issues like territorial settlement or definitive security arrangements. Progress remains largely in the framework and negotiation stage, rather than final agreements.
The Guardian
In summary:
Optimism and momentum are higher than before the talks.
Al Jazeera
Significant hurdles remain, especially over territorial questions and how guarantees will be implemented.
The Moscow Times
A peace deal by months’ end is possible but not guaranteed, with diplomacy expected to intensify in the new year.
Aaron Joyce - Newswire - LTT Media - December 29th 2025
Image Credit - The Times