Trump says Russia and Ukraine are ‘maybe very close’ to peace deal after meeting with Zelenskyy
President Donald Trump said teams are getting “very close, maybe very close” to reaching a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin and meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida on Sunday.
“We had a fantastic meeting. We discussed a lot of things. As you know, I had a great phone call with President Putin that lasted over two hours. We discussed a lot of points and I think we’re getting a lot closer,” Trump said.
The president said they covered “95%” of the issues needed to end the war. Trump then detailed the call with European leaders after his bilateral meeting with Zelenskyy, indicating that it went well.
President Donald Trump welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 28, 2025.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Zelenskyy thanked Trump for hosting the meeting and also highlighted how close the teams were to reaching a peace deal.
“We have great achievements, a 20-point peace plan, 90% agreed, and security guarantees between the United States and Ukraine, 100% agreed. The security guarantees between the United States, Europe and Ukraine are almost agreed. The military dimension, 100% agreed. The prosperity plan is being finalized and we also discussed the sequence of next actions. And we agree that security guarantees are the key milestone in achieving lasting peace, and our teams will continue to work in all aspects,” Zelenskyy. said.
About the territory and a possible demilitarized zone
When asked what remains the thorniest issue in trying to reach a peace agreement to end the war, Trump said it is territory.
“Well, I think the land that you’re talking about, some of that land has been taken. Some of that land may be at stake, but it may be taken over the next period of several months, and you better come to a deal now… look, let me tell you, they’ve been very brave. They fought very hard, and they continue to fight very hard and cause tremendous damage,” Trump said, speaking of the Ukrainian military.
Trump was asked if the sides had agreed to territory swaps or the proposed demilitarized zone in the Donbass, which would mean neither Russia nor Ukraine would control the territory. Trump indicated that “agreed upon” was too strong a word to use, but said progress had been made on the issue.
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy take questions from the media as Zelenskyy arrives for their meetings at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 28, 2025.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Trump was then pressed on a recent Kremlin statement saying Ukraine has to give up the Donbas region entirely, which he said was an issue the teams would have to “resolve.”
“Well, that’s what they’ve been asking for.” Trump said, referring to Russia. “And, you know, there’s a dispute about that. So they’re going to have to resolve that. It’s an issue that they have to resolve… I think it’s moving in the right direction.” he added.
When Zelenskyy was asked about the territory issue in the ongoing discussions, he said Ukraine’s position is “very clear,” which is why Trump said “this is a very difficult question.”
“We have to respect our law and our people. We respect the territory that we control. And, of course, our attitude is very clear. That’s why President Trump said that this is a very difficult issue. And, of course, we have different positions with the Russians on this,” Zelenskyy said.
About a possible ceasefire
Trump was asked if Russia would agree to a ceasefire, even for a period long enough for Ukraine to hold a referendum on parts of a peace deal. Trump indicated that it is a sticking point in the negotiations.
“Not a ceasefire. And that’s one of the things we’re working on now… He feels that look, you know, they’re fighting and they have to stop and then if they have to start over, which is a possibility, he doesn’t want to be in that position. I understand that position,” Trump said.
President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 28, 2025.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Trump said they are “finding ways to fix that problem.”
Early Sunday, when asked by reporters whether Putin is serious about peace, given Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukraine, including dozens of drone attacks on Ukraine overnight, according to the air force in kyiv: Trump reiterated that he believes Putin is “serious.”
“No, he’s very serious. I think I can say that. I think Ukraine has also carried out some very strong attacks,” Trump said. “Look, the people of Ukraine want this to end, and the people of Russia want it to end, and the two leaders want it to end.”
About next steps
Both Zelenskyy and Trump said negotiations would continue in the coming weeks. Trump said Zelenskyy and other European leaders would meet, possibly at the White House, in the coming weeks to continue negotiations.
Trump said that if things go “really well,” a peace deal could be reached in “a few weeks,” but it’s also possible that there will never be a breakthrough.
“But you know, in a few weeks we’ll know one way or another,” Trump said, adding, “It’s been a very difficult negotiation.”
The U.S. delegation present at the talks, according to the White House, included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum, White House adviser Stephen Miller and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law.
