US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Florida and signalled major progress on a U.S.-backed peace plan to end Russia’s nearly four-year war in Ukraine. Trump said a deal could be “very close” to completion, with much of the framework agreed.
Reuters
Zelenskyy described a 20-point draft peace plan as being about 90% complete, with agreements reached on many issues, including security guarantees for Ukraine.
newsukraine.rbc.ua
The United States has proposed a 15-year (or longer) security guarantee for Ukraine — something Kyiv wants even longer — as part of the peace framework.
AP News
These developments have set up follow-up talks in Washington and consultations with European allies in early 2026.
The New Voice of Ukraine
Why “Final Stages” Doesn’t Mean Final Deal Yet
Even with optimism from Western leaders, major hurdles remain, especially regarding territory, most notably Donbas:
Donbas: The Core Territorial Dispute
Ukraine insists it will not cede control of internationally recognised Ukrainian territory in the Donbas — the eastern industrial region made up of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts — and rejects Russian claims to it.
Euromaidan Press
Russia continues to demand full control of Donbas, insisting Ukraine withdraw its forces from areas it still holds as a condition for peace.
Reuters
The U.S. has floated compromise ideas — like turning parts of Donbas into a demilitarised or “free economic zone” — but these ideas have not been agreed by all sides.
commonspace.eu
Ukraine wants any final peace deal subject to a public referendum, with at least a 60-day ceasefire in place before a vote.
ryt9.com
Other Remaining Issues
Two sticking points Zelenskyy identified in the peace document are:
Territorial control (including Donbas)
Future governance of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant — a strategically sensitive site under Russian military control.
newsukraine.rbc.ua
Broader Context
Russia’s foreign ministry and the Kremlin have made clear they see withdrawal from Donbas as essential to peace and have criticised Ukraine’s rejection of that demand.
Reuters
Meanwhile, clashes and military actions continue on the ground, underscoring how fragile any diplomatic progress is — and why both sides remain cautious.
The Guardian
In Summary
There is significant diplomatic momentum and draft agreements that many leaders hope could form the basis of an end to the war.
But fundamental disagreements about Donbas — whether Ukraine keeps control, how it’s administered, or whether Russia’s claims are recognised — are still unresolved, and this remains the main obstacle to completing a full peace deal.
If you want, I can also summarize what would happen on the ground in Donbas under each peace proposal (e.g., demilitarised zone vs full Ukrainian control) and what it means for civilians there.
