Ukraine peace deal near, but territorial disputes remain – Trump

United States President, Donald Trump has said negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine are at their most advanced stage yet, though he acknowledged that disagreements over territory remain the biggest obstacle to a final agreement.

Trump made the remarks on Sunday following fresh high-level talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying the coming weeks would be decisive in determining whether the conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives, can finally be brought to a close.

The meeting took place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida as part of intense end-of-year diplomatic engagements.

Zelensky was hosted by Trump for face-to-face discussions after a renewed push for a negotiated settlement.

“I really believe we’re probably closer than ever before with both parties,” Trump said, with Zelensky standing beside him. “Everybody wants it ended.”

The talks came against the backdrop of renewed Russian attacks on residential areas in Kyiv, launched just a day earlier.

Despite the strikes, Zelensky had said the proposed peace framework was “95 per cent complete.”

Ahead of his meeting with the Ukrainian leader, Trump also held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He later insisted that Moscow was serious about reaching peace, even as hostilities continued.

Trump went as far as saying Putin “wants to see Ukraine succeed,” a comment that Zelensky received cautiously.

“President Putin was very generous in his feelings toward Ukraine succeeding,” Trump said, adding that Russia had previously supplied Ukraine with energy at discounted rates.

Zelensky, mindful of past tensions with Trump, including a heated White House exchange earlier this year that briefly resulted in a suspension of US support for Kyiv, avoided any public disagreement.

Following their meeting, Trump and Zelensky jointly held a call with European leaders. Several European capitals remain uneasy about any settlement that could be perceived as rewarding Russian aggression.

Zelensky later indicated that he and key European allies could return to Washington for further discussions in January, while French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to host another meeting of Ukraine’s allies in Paris early next month.

Despite expressing optimism, Trump conceded that territorial issues remain unresolved. The current US-backed proposal would freeze hostilities along existing frontlines in eastern Donbas and establish a demilitarised zone.

Russia, however, continues to demand formal recognition of territorial gains.

“It’s unresolved, but it’s getting a lot closer. That’s a very tough issue,” Trump said.

Trump also suggested he could address Ukraine’s parliament directly to explain the peace proposal, an idea Zelensky quickly welcomed.

Ukraine’s openness to discussing territorial compromises marks its clearest signal yet of flexibility, though Zelensky stressed that any final decision would require approval through a national referendum.

Meanwhile, Russia has shown little indication of shifting its position. The Kremlin said Putin urged Ukraine to make a “bold and responsible decision” by withdrawing its forces from Donbas, while accusing European leaders of obstructing peace efforts.

Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov also rejected the idea of a temporary ceasefire, warning it could merely delay the conflict and increase the risk of renewed fighting.