Trump and Zelensky report major progress, but land and security disputes still endanger peace

Donald Trump has said talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine have made significant progress, but warned that unresolved territorial disputes could still prevent a final agreement.

Speaking after meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Florida, Trump described the discussions as positive while acknowledging that “one or two very thorny issues” remain. Chief among them is the future of land currently occupied by Russian forces, an issue that has stalled peace efforts since the early stages of the conflict.

Zelensky said the two sides had reached an agreement on roughly 90% of a 20-point peace plan. Trump echoed the sense of momentum, claiming that security guarantees designed to protect Ukraine from future attacks were “close to 95% done. However, he did not confirm whether the United States would provide troops or logistical support as part of those guarantees.

Despite the optimism, Trump was candid about the risks. He told reporters that some Ukrainian territory had already been taken and suggested further changes on the ground could occur if talks drag on. He described the territorial question as extremely difficult, but insisted it would ultimately be resolved.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and currently controls about 20% of the country. The most contentious areas lie in eastern Ukraine, particularly the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, collectively known as Donbas. Russian forces now control most of those territories.

One proposal under discussion would see Donbas transformed into a demilitarised zone. That idea remains unresolved. Russia has demanded that Ukraine withdraw from the parts of the region it still holds, while Kyiv has argued the area could instead become a free economic zone under Ukrainian control.

Trump acknowledged the disagreement, calling it a central obstacle to peace. Over recent months, he has shifted his own stance on Ukraine’s territorial losses. At one point, he suggested Ukraine might eventually reclaim occupied land, before later reversing that position.

Zelensky said further negotiations are planned, with Ukrainian and American officials expected to meet again next week. In a statement, he said the talks had been substantive and praised the progress made by both teams over recent weeks.

Earlier, Trump also spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While offering few details, Trump said he believed Putin wanted Ukraine to succeed. He added that Russia showed little interest in a ceasefire that would allow Ukraine to hold referendums in occupied territories, saying he understood Moscow’s position.

Russian officials later said the call was initiated by Trump and focused on recent peace proposals from Ukraine and the European Union. According to the Kremlin, both leaders agreed that a temporary ceasefire could prolong the conflict rather than end it.

Trump floated the idea of future trilateral talks involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine, saying such discussions could happen at the right time. However, he warned that if negotiations collapse or stall badly, the war could continue indefinitely.

European leaders have cautiously welcomed the reported progress. The European Commission said the talks showed promise but stressed the importance of firm security guarantees for Ukraine. France said it would host further discussions next month aimed at finalising commitments from Kyiv’s allies.

While the talks offer renewed hope after years of bloodshed, Trump’s comments underscored how fragile the process remains. With land, security and trust still unresolved, the path to peace remains uncertain and perilously narrow.