Russia has publicly endorsed US President Donald Trump's assertion that high-stakes peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine are now in their 'final stage'. The significant development follows a crucial meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Mar-a-Lago Talks Yield Progress But Stumbling Blocks Remain
President Trump welcomed President Zelensky with open arms on Sunday to discuss a detailed 20-point peace plan designed to halt the nearly four-year conflict with Russia. Trump later celebrated the talks, stating the parties were 'very close' to an agreement, with only 'one or two thorny issues' outstanding.
However, both leaders admitted that middle ground could not be found on some of the most difficult points. A central unresolved issue is the future ownership of the Donbas region, the eastern Ukrainian territory that has been a primary battleground throughout the war. Trump suggested that some contested land 'has been taken' and might be 'up for grabs', indicating a pragmatic, if controversial, approach to territorial disputes.
The Crucial Element of US Security Guarantees
In a key revelation on Monday, President Zelensky disclosed that the United States is offering Ukraine security guarantees for a period of 15 years as part of the proposed ceasefire deal. Zelensky expressed a preference for a longer American commitment of up to 50 years to deter future Russian aggression.
'Without security guarantees, realistically, this war will not end,' Zelensky emphasised in a statement. He added that these guarantees would include provisions for monitoring a peace deal and the 'presence' of international partners, though details remain confidential. Russia has repeatedly stated it would not accept NATO troop deployments in Ukraine.
Zelensky confirmed that any such guarantees would require approval from the US Congress and other national parliaments involved in overseeing a settlement. Furthermore, he stated his desire for the final peace plan to be ratified by the Ukrainian people in a national referendum, a process that would necessitate a ceasefire of at least 60 days.
International Endorsements and Forthcoming Diplomacy
When questioned on Monday about Trump's optimistic post-meeting assessment, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded, 'Of course,' signalling Moscow's alignment with the US President's view. Peskov also noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump are expected to speak in the near future, though no call with Zelensky is planned.
Internationally, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Kyiv's allies will convene in Paris in early January to finalise concrete contributions to the security package for Ukraine. This underscores the multilateral effort underpinning the proposed peace framework.
Despite the momentum, significant hurdles persist. Negotiators are still working on breakthroughs regarding military withdrawals and the fate of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. President Trump himself cautioned that the months-long negotiations could still collapse, stating, 'In a few weeks, we will know one way or the other... But it could also go poorly.' The world now watches to see if this diplomatic push can finally end a devastating conflict.
