Trump-Zelenskyy Ukraine Peace Deal 2025: 95% Progress or Impasse?

They've shaken hands, but the guns haven't gone silent yet. On December 28, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago resort for high-stakes talks. Trump declared they're getting "very close" to a deal, claiming that security guarantees for Ukraine are 95 percent of the way to an agreement.

The Mar-a-Lago Summit: Trump-Zelenskyy Ukraine Peace Deal 2025

Despite the optimism, the future of the Donbas region remains a major sticking point. While the leaders made strides on security, the division of Russian-occupied eastern territories is still "unresolved." Zelenskyy emphasized that any final peace agreement would require the green light from the Ukrainian parliament or a national referendum, ensuring the public has a say in the country's sovereignty.

Putin Rejects Ceasefire as Europe Steps In

The diplomatic dance isn't just a bilateral affair. Before meeting Zelenskyy, Trump spent over two hours on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin's response was lukewarm; Putin's aide stated that a proposed 60-day ceasefire would only prolong the conflict. Russia is demanding a "bold political decision" from Kyiv regarding the disputed regions before any cessation of hostilities.

Meanwhile, European heavyweights like Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen are inserting themselves into the process. A "Coalition of the Willing" is set to meet in Paris in early January to finalize their contributions. This comes under a cloud of threats from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who warned that any European troops deployed to Ukraine would be targeted by Russian forces.