Trump-Zelenskyy Mar-a-Lago Meeting: Ukraine Peace Deal Enters ‘Final Stages’

Shaking hands but keeping the gloves on, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy to his Mar-a-Lago estate on December 28, 2025. Trump declared that diplomacy to end the bloody Russia-Ukraine war is in its "final stages," warning that millions more could die if a deal isn't reached soon.

The Mar-a-Lago Proposal: Trading Territory for Security Guarantees

Trump's spent much of his first year back in office pushing for a resolution to the 4-year conflict. According to Al Jazeera, the new proposal involves a "strong agreement" to guarantee Ukraine's security with European involvement. In a significant shift, Zelenskyy indicated he might drop Ukraine's bid to join NATO if the country receives "NATO-like" protection against future Russian aggression.

The talks also touched on the highly sensitive issue of territorial concessions. While previously a red line for Kyiv, Zelenskyy stated they've discussed moving "step by step" toward peace. This includes potential troop withdrawals from eastern industrial zones to create a demilitarized area monitored by international forces—provided Russia pulls back as well.

Skepticism Abounds: The Putin Call and the Donbas Dilemma

However, the upbeat tone at Palm Beach contrasts with the grim reality on the ground. Just before the meeting, Trump spoke with Vladimir Putin for over 60 minutes, a move that reportedly left the Ukrainian delegation feeling "blindsided." The Kremlin maintains that a mere ceasefire is insufficient and continues to demand international recognition of the Crimean Peninsula and four other annexed regions as Russian territory.

Ukrainian analysts remain cynical. Oleksandr Kraiev from the think-tank Ukrainian Prism noted that Russia has broken every ceasefire regime since 2015. While Trump believes Putin can be persuaded to end the war through land concessions in the Donbas and economic incentives, many fear this "deal" might simply be a pause before the next escalation.