Mar-a-Lago Meeting Shows Progress but Key Issues Remain
In a significant diplomatic development, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emerged from their meeting at Mar-a-Lago on December 28, 2025, expressing optimism about reaching a peace agreement to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine. Both leaders described the talks as 'excellent' and reported substantial progress on a 20-point peace plan, though crucial differences remain unresolved, particularly regarding the status of the Donbas region.
Security Guarantees: A Key Breakthrough
The most concrete outcome appears to be agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine. Zelensky stated there was '100 percent agreement' on this issue, while Trump put the figure at 95 percent. These guarantees, which would provide Ukraine with protection similar to NATO's Article 5, represent a significant shift in U.S. policy under Trump, who had previously campaigned on not being 'the world's policeman.' 'The security guarantees are the key to lasting peace,' Zelensky told reporters after the meeting.
European and Ukrainian delegations will work in the coming weeks to flesh out the details of these security arrangements. A follow-up summit is planned for January in Washington, where Trump, Zelensky, and European leaders will continue negotiations.
The Donbas Dilemma
The major sticking point remains the future of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, where the front lines have been largely static for months. Trump acknowledged that he and Zelensky had moved closer together but said they still disagree on the area's future status. 'We're not in agreement on the future status of that area,' Trump stated during the press conference.
Russia claims the entire Donbas region, though it hasn't fully conquered it militarily. Zelensky's 20-point plan proposes creating a demilitarized zone in Donbas as a buffer between Ukraine and Russia, but this would require a ceasefire and potentially a referendum under Ukrainian law. According to BBC reporting, the plan includes establishing a 'free economic zone' in Donetsk under Ukrainian administration while requiring Russian troops to withdraw from four other regions.
Trump's Putin Connection
Before meeting with Zelensky, Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for over an hour. Trump described the conversation as 'good and very productive' and said it was conducted 'in a friendly tone.' He later indicated that Putin appears serious about peace, though there's no evidence yet that Russia is willing to make significant concessions.
The timing of the talks was notable, coming just after renewed Russian airstrikes on Kyiv that left a third of the capital without power. This juxtaposition highlighted the complex reality of negotiating peace while fighting continues.
European Involvement and Next Steps
Following their meeting, Trump and Zelensky held a conference call with European leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed satisfaction with the progress made.
Trump suggested that a peace deal could be reached within weeks 'if it went really well,' but acknowledged it 'could also go poorly.' When asked what would happen if no agreement is reached in the coming weeks, Trump bluntly responded: 'Then they keep fighting and dying.'
Analysis: Progress Amid Uncertainty
While the Mar-a-Lago meeting represents the most significant diplomatic movement in months, experts caution that major hurdles remain. The Donbas issue is particularly thorny, as any territorial concessions would require constitutional changes and potentially a referendum in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia shows little sign of softening its position.
According to CBS News, Trump plans to call Putin again but doesn't appear inclined to apply maximum pressure on Moscow. Previous sanctions on Russian oil companies and third countries buying Russian oil haven't deterred Putin's aggression.
The January summit in Washington will be crucial for determining whether this diplomatic momentum can be translated into a concrete peace agreement. As Zelensky noted upon arriving at Mar-a-Lago: 'We have the ingredients for a deal.' Whether those ingredients can be combined into a sustainable peace remains to be seen.