US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy concluded a lengthy meeting on the Russia-Ukraine ceasefire without reaching a major breakthrough. The discussion, held at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, lasted over two hours. Key issues, including the future of Ukraine’s Donbas region, remained unresolved.
Trump said the two sides are close to an agreement but admitted that some points in the peace plan remain undecided. He warned that unexpected obstacles could affect negotiations and urged Ukraine to finalize a deal soon. Trump also cautioned that Russia might seize more territory if an agreement is delayed.
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Zelenskiy said negotiators had made progress over recent weeks, reaching agreement on roughly 90% of the draft peace plan. He stressed that the ultimate decision on Donbas would rest with the Ukrainian people. Zelenskiy also indicated that Ukraine could consider withdrawing troops from the region under specific conditions.
Reports indicate that Donbas remains a major sticking point, as Russia seeks control of the entire area. Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly demanded that Ukraine cede control over territories in Donbas. The situation has complicated efforts to finalize a peace agreement.
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Zelenskiy noted that Trump proposed making Donbas a free economic zone. He added that Ukraine could remove troops if Russia also withdraws and the area is placed under international monitoring as a demilitarized zone. Negotiators continue to discuss these options to reach a sustainable ceasefire.