In a significant diplomatic push, US President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday, December 28, 2025. Following their talks, Trump expressed strong optimism, stating a peace agreement to end the ongoing war is potentially 'very close', though critical issues like territory remain unresolved.
Key Takeaways from the Mar-a-Lago Meeting
The joint news conference after the meeting revealed several crucial points. President Trump described his discussions with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he had an 'excellent' two-hour phone call, as highly productive. Striking a conciliatory tone towards Moscow, Trump asserted, 'Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed.' He elaborated that Putin was 'very generous' in offering low-priced energy and electricity supplies to Ukraine.
President Zelensky, whom Trump repeatedly praised as 'brave', highlighted the importance of US-Ukraine security guarantees, calling them a 'key milestone in achieving lasting peace.' He confirmed that teams from both nations would continue working on the details. Zelensky later thanked Trump on social media platform X for a 'wonderful meeting' and noted 'significant progress' had been achieved by their teams in recent weeks.
The Thorniest Issues: Land and the Donbas Region
Despite the positive momentum, President Trump openly acknowledged the major obstacles. When pressed on the 'thorniest issues' blocking a final deal, his answer was blunt: 'The land.' He suggested that Ukraine might be better off securing a deal now, as territory continues to be contested. 'Some of the land has been taken... you're better off making a deal now,' Trump advised, indicating a pragmatic, if controversial, stance on territorial concessions.
A specific and persistent flashpoint is the eastern Donbas region. Trump confirmed that Russia's demand for Ukraine to surrender Donbas remains a central and unresolved matter in the negotiations. However, he offered a glimmer of hope, stating, 'We're getting closer to an agreement on that. And that's a big issue.'
Future Steps and Cautious Optimism
The leaders outlined a clear path forward. Zelensky announced that their negotiating teams will meet next week to finalise all discussed points. Furthermore, it was coordinated that President Trump will host Ukrainian and European leaders in Washington, D.C., in January 2026 for further discussions.
Trump also addressed the possibility of a visit to Ukraine, saying he had 'no problem' doing so and would offer to speak to the Ukrainian Parliament to help the process, but he would prefer to 'get a deal done and NOT have to go.' President Zelensky immediately welcomed the potential invitation.
Yet, caution tempered the optimism. Trump noted that the complex negotiations could still fall apart over a single unforeseen issue. 'In a few weeks, we will know one way or the other,' he said, reminding everyone that the path to peace remains fragile. As the world watches, the coming weeks will be decisive in determining whether this diplomatic momentum can translate into a lasting peace for Ukraine.
