President Donald Trump met Sunday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago, marking the most significant step yet in negotiations to end Russia’s nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine. Both leaders described the talks as highly productive, saying they agreed on most elements of a 20-point peace framework but acknowledged that several key issues remain unresolved.
“Our meeting was excellent,” Trump told reporters after the two-hour session. “We covered — somebody would say 95 percent, I don’t know what percent — but we have made a lot of progress on ending that war. We’ll see if it gets done, but it’s very close.”
Zelensky confirmed the broad progress, saying negotiators agreed to “about 90 percent” of his proposed peace framework. The meeting included senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Ukrainian National Security and Defence Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, and Ambassador Olha Stefanishyna.
Zelensky’s 20-point plan builds on a Trump administration proposal circulated last month. It includes a series of security guarantees from the United States and Europe, a future path for Ukraine to join the European Union, and a halt to fighting along existing battle lines in Donetsk, with both sides withdrawing to form demilitarized zones. Similar withdrawals would occur in Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, while Russia would pull back from several central and northern regions, including Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, and Kharkiv.
The framework also calls for a multilateral aid package of roughly $800 billion to rebuild Ukraine’s infrastructure and economy once hostilities cease. Zelensky said the U.S. delegation agreed “100 percent” on security guarantees and that the prosperity plan to rebuild Ukraine is “being finalized.”
Trump, however, emphasized that the issue of territory remains a “major sticking point.” Asked by a reporter to identify the most difficult element of the talks, Trump replied: “I think the land — you’re talking about — some of that land has been taken. Some of that land is maybe up for grabs, but it may be taken over the next period of months. You’re better off making a deal now.”
Zelensky responded that Ukraine’s position remains clear: “We respect the territory which we control,” he said, reiterating his country’s refusal to recognize Russia’s annexations.
The leaders also announced plans to continue negotiations in early January, likely in Washington, with European heads of government expected to participate. “We agreed with President Trump that he will host us — maybe in Washington — with European leaders and our Ukrainian delegation,” Zelensky said.
Trump signaled that a final agreement is within reach, describing the talks as “not a one-day issue” but saying that “the makings of a deal” are now on the table. He did not rule out visiting Kyiv if peace terms are finalized. “I’d have no problem with doing it,” he said. “I’ve offered to go and speak to their parliament if that would help.”
Zelensky welcomed the idea, later posting on X: “I thank President Trump and his team for the negotiations. Together, we must — and can — implement our vision for peace.”
In a lighter moment during the joint press event, Trump turned to the assembled reporters and quipped, “Would you like food? Or do you consider that a bribe? And therefore you can’t write honestly? Or write a bad story?” Drawing laughter, the president instructed staff, “Margo, tell the chef, serve them lunch. That’s a guaranteed good story — but it won’t be. They’ll only get worse!”
The Mar-a-Lago meeting marked the first face-to-face discussion between Trump and Zelensky since 2020, when the two leaders clashed over U.S. aid during Biden’s presidency. On Sunday, both projected unity and confidence that the war’s end could be within sight.
