Trump, Zelenskyy say Ukraine peace talks ‘95% complete, but thorny issues remain’; Putin rejects ceasefire for referendums | Top updates

Ukraine peace talks 95% complete after Trump-Zelenskyy meeting as Putin rejects ceasefire for referendums

US President Donald Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where the two leaders said negotiations on a peace plan to end the Ukraine war were nearing completion.

Zelenskyy said a comprehensive agreement could be finalised by January 2026, while Trump expressed confidence that a deal could be reached within weeks. Both leaders indicated that roughly 90–95 percent of the proposed framework has been agreed upon, with security guarantees and military provisions already settled.

Now, let's take a closer look at the top developments. 

• Peace plan progress: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking alongside Trump, thanked the US president for the meeting and said both sides had reviewed all elements of a proposed peace framework. He said a 20-point peace plan is now 90 per cent agreed.

#WATCH | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says, "...We had great discussions on all the topics, and we appreciate the progress that the Americans and Ukrainian teams made in these recent weeks...We discussed all the aspects of the peace framework...There has been 90 per… pic.twitter.com/JsOkfMEqMd

— ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2025

• Ceasefire disagreement: US President Donald Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin has not agreed to a ceasefire that would allow referendums, a step Ukraine says is crucial to resolving territorial disputes.

• Trump-Putin call: The meeting followed hours after Trump said he held a “very productive” phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, signalling intensified diplomatic engagement over the Ukraine conflict.

• Escalating attacks: The talks took place amid intensified Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, which Kyiv says are aimed at strengthening Moscow’s negotiating position ahead of peace negotiations.

• Russia backs Trump’s push: Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev said the “whole world” appreciates US President Donald Trump and his team’s efforts to advance peace, as diplomacy around the war accelerates.

• Closed-door meeting: Reporters were asked to leave just before the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting began at Mar-a-Lago, after Trump instructed communications adviser Margo Martin to escort journalists out.

• Trump on Russia’s stance: Trump said Moscow wants Ukraine to succeed, citing his recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed. Once it sounds a little strange, but I was explaining to the President, President Putin was very generous in his feelings toward Ukraine succeeding, including supplying energy, electricity, and other things at very low prices. So a lot of good things came out of that call today,” he told reporters while standing alongside Zelenskyy.

#WATCH | US President Donald Trump says, "...Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed. Once it sounds a little strange, but I was explaining to the President, President Putin was very generous in his feelings toward Ukraine succeeding, including supplying energy, electricity, and… pic.twitter.com/bg56lrQMMf — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2025

• Zelenskyy’s message: Zelenskyy thanked Trump for hosting him in Florida and said he hoped the talks would bring peace “as quick as possible”.

• War continues: Even as diplomatic talks progressed in Florida, Russia continued bombing Ukraine, underscoring the gap between negotiations and realities on the battlefield.

• Trump open to visiting Ukraine: President Trump said he was willing to travel to Ukraine and address its parliament if it could help secure a peace deal, but suggested such a visit was unlikely. “You know, I have no problem with travelling to Ukraine,” he said. “We don't anticipate it. I would like to get the deal done and not necessarily have to go.” Zelenskyy responded, “You are welcome.”