US President Donald Trump has said a deal to end the war in Ukraine is 'closer than ever' but admitted that 'thorny' questions over the future of the eastern Donbas region remain unresolved, following a two-hour meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida.
Trump described a draft agreement as nearly '95% done' and said both sides were willing, but acknowledged 'one or two tough' outstanding issues over territory and expressed sympathy with Russia's reluctance to agree a ceasefire. He also offered to travel to Kyiv to address parliament.
Despite the positive rhetoric, there were few signs of an imminent breakthrough. When asked about the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, Trump gave a confused answer. The meeting came hours after Trump held a lengthy phone call with Vladimir Putin.
There were no indications that Russia is willing to drop its maximalist demands. According to Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov, both sides agreed that a ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and Europe would prolong fighting. Trump greeted Zelenskyy with a businesslike handshake, in contrast to the warm reception given to Putin in August.
Fundamental problems remain, including security guarantees. Trump has made no military commitment to defend Ukraine. The original US plan effectively demanded Ukraine's capitulation. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy described a recent Russian air attack on Kyiv as 'Russia’s answer to our peace efforts'.
