Ukraine Peace Deal 90% Closer Than Ever? Trump Flags ‘Tough Final Hurdles’ After High-Stakes Zelenskyy Meet
Ukraine peace talks gain fresh momentum as Donald Trump claims the deal is 90% closer after his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though critical sticking points and tough negotiations still remain
After nearly three hours of closed-door discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump said the security guarantee for Ukraine is “close to 95 per cent” complete but warned that key issues over territory, particularly over land in eastern Ukraine, are unresolved.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump described his discussions with Zelenskyy as highly productive. “We discussed a lot of points. I do think we’re getting a lot closer, maybe very close,” Trump said, adding that he did not have a deadline for the process.
However, the press conference ended without a formal announcement of a final agreement, but both leaders signalled that negotiations are nearing a decisive phase.
Zelenskyy, speaking alongside Trump, thanked the US president for the meeting and said the two sides had covered all aspects of a proposed peace framework.
He said a 20-point peace plan is now 90 per cent agreed, while US-Ukraine security guarantees — a core demand from Kyiv — are fully settled.
“Security guarantees are the key milestone in achieving lasting peace,” Zelenskyy said.
He added that Ukrainian and European delegation would continue technical work on the remaining elements and are expected to meet in the coming weeks to “finalise all discussed matters”. Zelenskyy said Trump would host further talks in Washington in January.
The guarantees are “close to 95 per cent” complete, Trump said, before adding: “I don’t like to say percentages.”
Despite the caution, Trump indicated that security arrangements were largely settled and no longer the main obstacle to a deal.
One of the remaining sticking points centres on eastern Ukraine, particularly Donbas.
Asked whether an agreement had been reached on establishing a free trade zone in the region, Trump said the issue was still unresolved.
“It’s unresolved but it’s getting a lot closer,” he said.
Zelenskyy, responding to questions on Donbas, said Ukraine’s position remained firm. “We respect the land we control,” he said, adding that Ukraine’s stance on Donbas is “very clear” and that “we have a different position to Russia”.
Asked how long it might take to end the war, Trump said it could be resolved in “a few weeks”, while acknowledging that outcome was not guaranteed.
“In a few weeks we will know one way or the other,” he said.
Trump said he could see the US, Ukraine and Russia eventually sitting down together for talks at the right time.
Hours before meeting the Ukrainian leader, Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump said Putin “wants to see it happen” as well.
However, Trump said Putin had not agreed to a ceasefire because he did not want to stop fighting only to resume later.
Trump said he remains open to visiting Ukraine but would prefer to secure a deal first. He also said he had offered to speak in the Ukrainian parliament if Zelenskyy believed it would help.
Momentum around a potential Ukraine peace deal appears to be building, with former US President Donald Trump claiming that negotiations are “closer than ever” following his recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, Trump also cautioned that several complex and sensitive issues still stand in the way of a final agreement, underlining that the road to peace remains challenging despite renewed optimism.
Speaking after the high-level interaction, Trump struck a cautiously confident tone, suggesting that talks aimed at ending the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict have reached an advanced stage. According to him, the framework of a deal is largely taking shape, but the final phase will require difficult compromises and intense diplomacy. His remarks have once again brought global attention to the possibility of a negotiated settlement after years of war that has reshaped Europe’s security landscape and strained international relations.
The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy is being viewed as significant, especially given Trump’s continued influence on global politics and his stated ambition to play a central role in brokering peace if returned to power. Trump has repeatedly claimed that he could resolve the Ukraine conflict swiftly through direct negotiations, a stance that has generated both support and skepticism among analysts and world leaders. His latest comments suggest that discussions are moving beyond rhetoric into more concrete territory.
President Zelenskyy, on his part, has consistently emphasized that any peace deal must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and long-term security. While details of the Trump-Zelenskyy conversation have not been fully disclosed, sources indicate that key topics likely included security guarantees for Ukraine, the future of occupied territories, NATO-related concerns, and the role of international partners in enforcing any agreement. These issues remain deeply contentious and politically sensitive, not only for Kyiv and Moscow but also for the United States and Europe.
Trump’s acknowledgment of “thorny issues” highlights the complexity of the negotiations. Questions surrounding territorial concessions, sanctions on Russia, reconstruction funding for Ukraine, and accountability for war-related actions are expected to be among the toughest hurdles. Any compromise on these fronts could face strong domestic opposition within Ukraine, as well as scrutiny from Western allies who have invested heavily—politically, militarily, and financially—in supporting Kyiv.
The renewed talk of peace comes at a time when war fatigue is increasingly evident across Europe and beyond. The conflict has had far-reaching consequences, including energy crises, economic pressures, and geopolitical realignments. As a result, many global stakeholders are eager for progress, even as they remain wary of a deal that could set troubling precedents or fail to ensure lasting stability.
Critics of Trump’s approach argue that optimism alone cannot overcome the deep-rooted mistrust between the parties involved. They warn that rushing into an agreement without robust safeguards could lead to a fragile ceasefire rather than a durable peace. Supporters, however, believe that unconventional diplomacy and direct leader-to-leader engagement—hallmarks of Trump’s foreign policy style—could break the current deadlock.
For Ukraine, the stakes could not be higher. Any agreement will shape the country’s future for decades, influencing its borders, security alliances, and path toward European integration. Zelenskyy faces the difficult task of balancing the desire for peace with the expectations of a population that has endured immense sacrifices since the war began.
As Trump frames the deal as being “closer than ever,” the international community will be watching closely to see whether optimism translates into tangible progress. While major obstacles remain, the fact that high-level discussions continue signals that diplomacy is still very much alive. Whether these talks will ultimately end the conflict or become another missed opportunity remains uncertain, but for now, the prospect of peace—however fragile—appears to be back on the global agenda.
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