Trump and Zelensky Report Progress on Ukraine Peace Deal, Key Territorial Issues Remain Unresolved

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced significant progress toward ending the nearly four-year war in Ukraine following high-stakes negotiations at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. However, both leaders acknowledged that critical disputes over Ukrainian territory continue to complicate efforts to reach a final agreement.

The meeting, described as "great" by both presidents, revealed that negotiators have reached consensus on approximately 90% of a comprehensive 20-point peace plan. Trump indicated that security guarantees for Ukraine are "close to 95%" complete, though specific commitments regarding troop deployment or logistical support remain undefined.

The most contentious issue centers on the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, which Russia largely controls following its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Moscow currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory overall, including about 75% of the Donetsk region and 99% of neighboring Luhansk—areas collectively known as Donbas.

Trump characterized the territorial question as involving "one or two very thorny issues" that must be resolved. "Some of that land has been taken," he told reporters. "Some of that land is maybe up for grabs, but it may be taken over the next period of a number of months."

A proposal to transform Donbas into a demilitarized zone remains "unresolved." Russia demands that Ukraine withdraw from the small portions of territory it still controls in the region, while Kyiv proposes establishing the area as a free economic zone policed by Ukrainian forces.

Prior to the Florida meeting, Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Yuri Ushakov, Russia's foreign policy adviser and former US ambassador, Trump initiated the call to discuss recent European Union and Ukrainian peace proposals.

Both leaders reportedly agreed that a temporary ceasefire proposed by the EU and Ukraine would prolong rather than resolve the conflict. Trump suggested Putin "wants Ukraine to succeed," though he acknowledged Moscow's opposition to any ceasefire that would permit Ukraine to hold a referendum on the disputed territories.

Trump floated the possibility of trilateral negotiations between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine "at the right time," while cautioning that failed diplomacy could mean the war continues indefinitely.

The negotiations carry significant implications for global security architecture and international law. The conflict has disrupted global food supplies, energy markets, and displaced millions of people, with consequences felt across Africa, including Ghana, where wheat prices and fuel costs have risen substantially since 2022.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the "good progress" made in Florida while emphasizing that Ukraine must receive "ironclad security guarantees from day one" of any peace agreement. This reflects European concerns about preventing future Russian aggression and maintaining the principle that international borders cannot be changed by force.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that countries in the "Coalition of the Willing"—nations committed to supporting Ukraine—would meet in Paris in early January to finalize concrete contributions toward Ukraine's security.

Political analysts note that Trump's shifting positions on Ukrainian territory complicate negotiations. In September, he surprised observers by suggesting Ukraine might reclaim lost land, only to reverse course later. This inconsistency creates uncertainty about American commitments.

The question of security guarantees remains particularly complex. Without formal commitments regarding military support or peacekeeping forces, Ukraine faces potential vulnerability to renewed Russian aggression—a scenario that would undermine any peace agreement.

The demilitarized zone proposal for Donbas presents technical and political challenges, including verification mechanisms, enforcement authority, and the economic future of a war-devastated region.

Zelensky announced that Ukrainian and American negotiating teams would meet next week for further discussions. "We had a substantive conversation on all issues and highly value the progress that the Ukrainian and American teams have made over the past weeks," he stated on Telegram.

The Ukrainian president also suggested that officials could convene at the White House in January, potentially alongside European leaders, as delegations work to finalize outstanding issues.

The Paris meeting in early January will prove critical for coordinating international security commitments. European nations, wary of potential American disengagement, are organizing independent security arrangements to support Ukraine.

For the international community, including African nations affected by the war's economic ripple effects, the coming weeks will determine whether diplomatic efforts can end Europe's largest military conflict since World War II or whether negotiations collapse, prolonging the humanitarian and economic crisis.

The success or failure of these talks will shape not only Ukraine's future but also establish precedents for how territorial disputes and international aggression are resolved in the 21st century.