Trump says US and Ukraine 'a lot closer' on peace deal but 'thorny issues' remain

 U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Sunday, December 28, that they are moving significantly closer to an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.  Following a high-stakes meeting at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump suggested that a final resolution could be clear within a few weeks, though he acknowledged that "thorny issues" regarding territory and specific security details remain on the table.A primary focus of the discussion was the establishment of long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. While Zelenskiy reported that an agreement on these guarantees has been reached, Trump noted that they are approximately 95% of the way toward a final deal.  The U.S. President emphasized that he expects European nations to lead the implementation of these measures with American backing. This sentiment was echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who confirmed that a "Coalition of the Willing" will meet in Paris this January to finalize concrete contributions to Ukraines security.The most contentious point of negotiation remains the future of the Donbas region. Russia currently demands full control of the area, while Ukraine has pushed for a freeze of the map at current battle lines to avoid ceding territory held by its forces.  To bridge this gap, U.S. negotiators have proposed the creation of a free economic zone in the region, though the practical logistics of such a zone are still being debated. Trump characterized the issue as unresolved but moving in the right direction, noting the complexity of reaching a compromise that satisfies both Kyiv and Moscow. Before meeting with the Ukrainian delegation, Trump held an extensive two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump described the conversation as productive and noted that Putin expressed a willingness to assist in Ukraine's reconstruction, potentially through the supply of energy.  Additionally, negotiators have made progress regarding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, with proposals for shared control that could allow the facility to resume operations quickly. Despite the diplomatic momentum, the situation on the ground remains volatile. Just prior to the meeting, Russian forces launched a massive drone and missile attack on Kyiv, which Zelenskiy viewed as a reaction to the peace efforts. However, both leaders maintained a public stance of optimism, with any final deal requiring the approval of the Ukrainian parliament or a national referendum. The post Trump says US and Ukraine 'a lot closer' on peace deal but 'thorny issues' remain appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.