Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that US security guarantees for Ukraine have been “100% agreed” following a high-profile meeting with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, raising cautious hopes for progress toward ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters after Sunday’s meeting, Zelenskyy described the talks with the US president as productive, claiming major advances on both security and economic fronts. According to the Ukrainian leader, a broader 20-point peace plan is now “90% agreed,” while the military and security guarantees from the United States are fully settled.
“We have great achievements,” Zelenskyy said. “US, Europe and Ukraine security guarantees are almost agreed. The military dimension is 100% agreed.” He added that an economic recovery plan aimed at revitalising Ukraine’s war-hit economy is close to finalisation.
Trump, who is seeking to position himself as a dealmaker on the global stage, confirmed that discussions with Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian delegation would continue. While he praised the talks as constructive, he acknowledged that the most contentious issue — territory — remains unresolved.
“Some of that land is maybe up for grabs,” Trump said, referring to areas occupied by Russia. He specifically highlighted the Donbas region, including Donetsk and Luhansk, as a “very tough issue,” conceding that Ukraine’s refusal to cede territory clashes with Moscow’s demands.
Although Trump avoided setting a deadline, he suggested that clarity could emerge “in a few weeks” on whether the peace framework will succeed.
A key element of the discussions was Europe’s role in Ukraine’s future security architecture. Trump said European nations would shoulder a significant share of responsibility, while the US would “help,” without elaborating on the form that assistance might take.
Kyiv has long insisted that binding US guarantees are essential to prevent renewed Russian aggression.
During the meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy held a joint call with several European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She later said the talks showed “good progress” and stressed the importance of “ironclad security guarantees from day one.”
Leaders from France, Germany, the UK, Poland, Finland, Italy, Norway and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also joined the discussion.
The diplomatic push came as Trump also spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier on Sunday. Trump said Moscow has not shifted its position, continuing to demand control over Ukraine’s eastern regions and opposing a ceasefire.
Despite this, Trump claimed Putin wants the war to end — a statement at odds with continued Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv.
Zelenskyy said he hopes all documents could be finalised within a month, potentially before the New Year, though the path to peace remains fraught with military, political and humanitarian challenges.