U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, heralding a pivotal step toward resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Following their two-hour discussion, both leaders expressed optimism about finalizing a peace agreement, with Trump declaring that a draft was “95% done.”
He noted, however, that unresolved issues, especially regarding the Donbas region, remained “thorny.” Zelenskyy mirrored this optimism, stating that their 20-point peace plan was “90% agreed” and identified the meeting as a critical milestone for Ukraine’s lasting peace.
Despite the positive sentiment, significant challenges continue to loom, particularly concerning the Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been under Russian occupation since the onset of the conflict. Trump’s remarks about the plant were somewhat unclear, as he inadvertently suggested that it was no longer a target for bombings.
The meeting occurred against a backdrop of increased hostilities, notably a major missile and drone attack by Russia just days prior that resulted in one death and 27 injuries in Kyiv, attacking residential areas and critical infrastructure illustrating the ongoing intensity of the conflict.
In light of the evolving situation, Trump expressed a readiness to travel to Kyiv to address Ukraine’s parliament ahead of a potential vote on the peace plan, although he noted this might not be necessary. As negotiations advance, the international community remains supportive, hoping that the progress achieved leads to a comprehensive and lasting peace in the region.
Additionally, recent developments include a U.S. offer of a 15-year security guarantee to Ukraine as part of the proposed peace plan and ongoing accusations between Russia and Ukraine regarding attacks.
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