Zelenskyy Signals Progress in Ukraine Peace Talks After Trump Meeting, Territorial Issues Persist
PALM BEACH, Fla. — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed cautious optimism about the prospects for a peace agreement with Russia following his recent meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Speaking to Fox News on December 29, Zelenskyy acknowledged that negotiations had advanced significantly but underscored that territorial disputes continue to be the principal sticking point in efforts to end the conflict that erupted in 2022.
“Even with one question today, we’ve been very close,” Zelenskyy told Bret Baier on “Special Report.” “I think we have a problem with one question: It’s about territories.” The war, which has devastated parts of eastern and southern Ukraine, has centered largely on control of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, all of which are claimed by Russia but remain contested.
While Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted on maintaining control over these areas, Zelenskyy proposed a potential compromise involving a “free economic zone” and a referendum to determine the final status of the territories. “I think the compromise, if we do a free economic zone that we have, and we have to move some kilometers back. It means that Russia has to make minor steps some kilometers back,” Zelenskyy explained. “This free economic zone will have specific rules. Something like this referendum is the way how to accept it or not accept it.”
Despite the progress, Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Putin’s intentions, saying, “I don’t trust Putin. He doesn’t want success for Ukraine. I believe he can say such words to President Trump… but it’s not true really.” The Ukrainian leader also emphasized the importance of American support, stating that Ukraine cannot prevail without it.
The meeting at Mar-a-Lago marked a significant moment in ongoing diplomatic efforts, with Trump positioning himself as a mediator seeking to facilitate peace. According to Zelenskyy, the two leaders are “90% agreed on a draft 20-point plan,” though Moscow has yet to signal a willingness to compromise on its territorial demands. Trump has indicated he will meet with Putin only once a peace deal is finalized.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently asserted that the West must recognize Russia’s battlefield advantages, complicating negotiations further. Meanwhile, the international community continues to watch closely as the conflict affects global security and humanitarian conditions.
For more information on the conflict and diplomatic efforts, see updates from the U.S. Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the United Nations Peacekeeping initiatives. The ongoing situation remains fluid, with peace talks continuing to evolve amid complex geopolitical dynamics.
As 2025 draws to a close, the world remains hopeful that a resolution can be reached, but Zelenskyy’s remarks underscore the challenges ahead in reconciling territorial integrity with the realities on the ground.
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