On December 29, expanded negotiations were held between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The dialogue included participation from EU leaders: French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as heads of Finland, Poland, Italy, and the European Commission. According to Trump, 95% of the EU’s highest leadership participated online.
At the post-meeting press conference, it was announced that the “peace plan is 90% agreed, and security guarantees are 100% confirmed.” The issue of Donbas remains difficult and unresolved, but both parties are reportedly close to a compromise. Additional meetings with European leaders are planned for the coming weeks to finalize agreements, likely to be held in January outside Washington.
Trump stated that one or two key points remain unresolved and expects a breakthrough within one or two weeks, while not ruling out that agreements may fall through. “95% of settlement issues have been reached,” he emphasized. Zelensky noted the possibility of a referendum on certain territorial issues, specifying that Ukrainians abroad would be included in the process.
Trump expressed his willingness to visit Ukraine for peace if it would help save lives. A working group of US officials and European representatives will be formed to negotiate with the Russian side. Meanwhile, Russian President Putin does not agree to a ceasefire for holding a referendum, and both the Kremlin and Trump oppose a short-term truce without a final settlement.
Zelensky aims for an agreement to pave the way for elections in Ukraine, but Moscow opposes any temporary ceasefire. Should the signing of the agreement be delayed, Ukraine's further development will depend on the situation, with the possibility that Zelensky may leave office.
Negotiations are ongoing, with all sides maintaining an active phase of dialogue. Trump stresses the importance of peaceful settlement, but warns that if the process fails, hostilities will continue.
