UPDATE: Former President Donald Trump announced that a US-backed peace deal between Ukraine and Russia is now “closer than ever before.” This statement follows his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida earlier today. Both leaders acknowledged that while progress has been made, there are still “thorny issues” to resolve.
During a joint press conference, Trump revealed that discussions around security guarantees—central to any peace agreement—are “close to 95%” finalized. He stated, “I really believe we’re probably… closer than, by far, closer than ever before – with both parties.” However, he noted that “one or two very thorny issues” remain.
The meeting included a conference call with NATO chief Mark Rutte and European leaders, such as Sir Keir Starmer, emphasizing multinational support for a resolution. They agreed that Trump will host European leaders and a Ukrainian delegation for further discussions in January 2024, potentially in Washington, DC.
Zelensky highlighted that the draft peace plan contains a US commitment that aligns with NATO’s Article 5, ensuring a collective military response if Ukraine is attacked. He reported that the 20-point draft plan is “90% agreed,” while US-Ukraine security guarantees are “100% agreed” and US-Europe-Ukraine security guarantees are “almost agreed.”
Despite these advancements, Trump cautioned that the negotiations are complex and described the situation as “very complicated stuff.” He mentioned that the prospect of creating a free trade zone in the Donbas region remains a major unresolved issue.
Zelensky previously stated he would consider withdrawing troops from Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland if Russia also pulls back, creating a demilitarized zone monitored by international forces. He reiterated that any agreement would need approval from the Ukrainian parliament or a referendum, emphasizing, “It’s the land of our nation.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to agree to a ceasefire required for such a referendum, according to Trump. Earlier today, Trump spoke with Putin about Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction, asserting that “Russia’s going to be helping.” He maintained that Putin is “very serious” about peace, despite ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine.
Zelensky has remained firm against Russian demands for Ukraine to cede control of the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. European leaders, including Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, have insisted on NATO’s role in monitoring any potential ceasefire, which Russia is likely to oppose.
In a call with Trump, Starmer emphasized the need to sustain momentum in the peace talks. He reiterated the importance of “robust security guarantees” and the urgency of ending the conflict as soon as possible. Downing Street confirmed that the UK is committed to collaborating closely with partners to maintain this momentum.
As discussions progress, all eyes are on the upcoming meetings scheduled for January, where further developments could bring us closer to a resolution in this protracted conflict. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this evolving story.
