Mon Dec 29 05:30:00 UTC 2025: News Article:

Trump and Zelensky Meet at Mar-a-Lago, Optimism Tempered by Complexity of Ukraine Peace Plan

Palm Beach, FL – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Mar-a-Lago on Sunday to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in an effort to secure his support for a revised 20-point peace plan to end the war with Russia. Following over three hours of talks, both leaders acknowledged the process was complex and ongoing, stopping short of announcing any major breakthroughs.

President Trump, who spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the day, expressed optimism that a resolution was near, stating, “I do think we’re getting a lot closer, maybe very close.” He also praised Zelensky’s efforts and bravery.

Despite the positive tone, significant hurdles remain. Trump indicated that U.S., Ukrainian, and European teams would continue negotiations in the coming weeks, potentially in Washington. He also plans to speak with Putin again, whose buy-in is crucial for any potential peace agreement.

Key takeaways from the meeting include:

  • No Firm Deadline: Trump insisted there was no set deadline for ending the war, but suggested that the current stage of talks, led by his envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, presented a ripe opportunity for resolution.
  • Frustration and Complexity: Trump has expressed frustration with the pace of negotiations, acknowledging the difficulty of leveraging a personal relationship with Putin to broker peace.
  • Thorny Issues Remain: The leaders acknowledged “very thorny issues,” likely including the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and territorial concessions. Trump suggested that Zelensky should consider to land concessions now, before further loses.
  • Putin’s Influence: Trump’s pre-meeting phone call with Putin, a pattern that has previously complicated Ukraine’s relations with the U.S. president, remains a source of concern. However, Trump expressed confidence that Putin was genuinely interested in peace.
  • Referendum on Peace: Zelensky has shown flexibility, stating his willingness to submit any peace agreement to a referendum, contingent on a ceasefire, something Russia has refused.

According to the Kremlin, Trump and Putin share “generally similar views” on the negative impacts of a temporary truce, and believe Ukraine needs to decide soon about the Donbas region. Trump said that there is progress on “getting closer to an agreement” on the region’s fate.

While Trump praised the setting, joking that Zelensky “doesn’t want to go to the White House anymore”, the meeting underscored the significant challenges that remain in achieving lasting peace in Ukraine. Trump concluded that “in a few weeks, we’ll know one way or another.”

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