Sun Dec 28 19:22:43 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:

Summary:

On December 28, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. The meeting followed a phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both sides expressed cautious optimism about achieving peace, with Zelenskyy indicating a willingness to discuss territorial concessions – a departure from his previous stance. However, Russia intensified its attacks on Ukraine in the days leading up to the meeting. Zelenskyy also consulted with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, seeking support and coordination. Talks have progressed to a 20-point draft proposal that is approximately 90 percent complete. The proposal includes security guarantees for Ukraine, potentially in exchange for dropping its NATO bid. Putin, however, continues to demand recognition of annexed territories and the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from certain areas. Despite the progress, significant hurdles remain, and reaching a compromise is expected to be a lengthy process. Trump has been working to end the war for much of his first year back in office, despite acknowledging the difficulty of ending the conflict.

News Article:

Trump Hosts Zelenskyy, Claims Peace Within Reach as Ukraine Talks Territorial Concessions

West Palm Beach, Florida – December 29, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Sunday, signaling a potential shift in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Prior to the meeting, Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for over an hour, describing the conversation as “friendly, benevolent, and businesslike” according to Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov. Trump claimed that both leaders were keen to end the conflict.

“The two leaders want it to end,” Mr. Trump said at the outset of the meeting at Mar-a-Lago.

Zelenskyy, in a notable development, indicated his willingness to discuss territorial concessions with Trump, a previously untouchable subject for Ukraine. “Territorial issues” will be raised as Moscow and Kyiv remain fiercely at odds over the fate of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. “My negotiators and Mr. Trump’s have discussed how to move step by step and bring peace closer,” Zelenskyy said.

The meeting comes amid intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine, including a strike on Sloviansk that resulted in casualties, and a recent ballistic missile and drone attack on Kyiv.

Despite the ongoing violence, both sides expressed cautious optimism regarding a potential peace agreement. A 20-point draft proposal is reportedly “about 90 per cent ready,” with the U.S. offering security guarantees to Ukraine, possibly in exchange for Kyiv dropping its bid to join NATO.

However, significant obstacles remain. Putin continues to demand recognition of annexed territories, including Crimea, and the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from certain regions. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the Kremlin had been in contact with US and “it was agreed upon to continue the dialogue”. Mr. Putin also has said Ukraine must limit the size of its army and give official status to the Russian language, demands he has made from the outset of the conflict. Mr. Trump has been somewhat receptive to Mr. Putin’s demands, making the case that the Russian president can be persuaded to end the war if Kyiv agrees to cede Ukrainian land in the Donbas region and if Western powers offer economic incentives to bring Russia back into the global economy.

Zelenskyy consulted with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney prior to the meeting, seeking international support. Carney announced additional economic assistance for Ukraine.

While progress appears to be underway, officials caution that reaching a final agreement could take considerable time. The outcome of the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting and subsequent discussions with Russia will be critical in determining the future trajectory of the conflict.

I tried to keep the tone of a neutral news report.

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