Trump and Zelenskyy Report Progress at Joint News Conference, But Key Issues Persist

Reuters

Trump and Zelenskyy's joint conference.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a joint news conference after their high-profile meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to discuss a potential peace deal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said he believes the United States, Ukraine, and Russia are “a lot closer” to reaching a peace agreement, noting that much of a proposed peace framework is largely agreed upon. He described the talks as positive and indicated that around 95 percent of the key elements of a peace plan had been settled, though he warned that “thorny issues” — particularly territorial disputes, such as the future of the Donbas region — still need to be resolved. 

President Zelenskyy echoed the assessment of progress, saying that Ukraine, the United States, and European partners are almost entirely aligned on security guarantees, a core component of any lasting settlement. However, he stressed that negotiations remain complex and that unresolved issues mean a formal agreement has not yet been reached. 

Both leaders emphasised the importance of continued diplomatic engagement in the coming weeks. Trump suggested that further talks with European allies and possibly with Russian President Vladimir Putin could help bridge remaining gaps. At the same time, Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s commitment to pursuing a peace deal that ensures the country’s sovereignty and long-term security. 

Sources: The Guardian, Reuters


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