Trump lauds Ukraine peace talks at Mar-a-Lago, deal is ‘very close’
After a more-than three-hour meeting at Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump said a peace deal to end the Russia-ukraine war is “very close,” estimating about 95% completion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr zelensky,meeting Trump for the frist time as October,said U.S. security guarantees were fully agreed and broader European guarantees were nearly settled; the military dimension was reportedly resolved while an economic plan remains to be finalized. Remaining sticking points include security guarantees, potential land swaps (with Zelensky favoring a national referendum), and crucial input from Russia. The leaders also consulted european counterparts by phone, and Trump said he had spoken with Vladimir Putin before the meeting and planned to call him again; despite progress, Trump said a final deal could still be a few weeks away.
Trump lauds peace talks with Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago, deal is ‘very close’
President Donald Trump said a peace deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war is “very close” to being reached following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday.
Trump met with Zelensky for the first time since October at his resort in Palm Beach, Florida, as the peace talks were at their highest level in months. Both appeared at a press conference following the over three-hour meeting, where Trump praised the progress made, suggesting that “95%” of the peace deal is complete.
“We could be very close [to a deal]. There are one or two very thorny issues, very tough issues. But I think we’re doing very well. We made a lot of progress today,” Trump told reporters on Sunday.
Those issues that still need to be hashed out include security guarantees for Ukraine and potential land swaps.
Zelensky said U.S.-Ukraine security guarantees were “100%” agreed to, while security guarantees involving Europe as well were “almost” there. He also said an agreement on the “military dimension” was reached, but the economic plan for Ukraine is still “being finalized.”
Regarding any land swaps, Trump told Zelensky, “You’re better off making a deal now,” citing continued fighting in contested areas. But Zelensky reiterated his desire for a national referendum on the issue, saying “it’s their land, the land, not of one person.”
The two leaders also spoke to European leaders over the phone after their bilateral meeting, after which many of them commended the progress made.
Despite the headway on the peace plan, Trump stressed that a deal, while close to coming to fruition, is still “a few weeks” off.
Crucially, Russia’s input is also still needed.
Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone before his meeting with Zelensky, a conversation that Trump said was “good and very productive.” He is expected to call him again on Sunday night.
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