
54d5a56a 96ba 4f21 Baad Cb32c8834e66 · 20 questions
Security guarantees agreed, but territorial disputes remain unresolved·December 28, 2025
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated ahead of his Dec. 28, 2025 meeting with President Trump that about 90% of the terms of a 20-point peace plan had been agreed upon by negotiating teams. After the meeting at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Zelenskyy confirmed that while overall 90% of the plan had achieved agreement, the United States and Ukraine had agreed 100% on security guarantees and the military dimension. The meeting followed Trump's phone conversation with Russian President Putin that lasted more than an hour.
Zelenskyy drafted the 20-part framework in response to the Trump administration proposing a 28-point plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine. The proposal includes security guarantees from the U.S. and Europe for Ukraine and the ability to join the European Union at a specific date. Despite the progress, the talks produced no visible breakthrough on the sensitive issue of Ukrainian territory. Trump acknowledged that one or two very tough issues remained outstanding, including the status of the eastern Donbas region.
Trump said Russia and Ukraine are maybe very close to a peace deal after the Zelenskyy meeting. Foreign policy experts and Democratic lawmakers expressed concern that pressure for a quick deal could force Ukraine to accept unfavorable terms. Some lawmakers warned against excluding Ukraine from key negotiations between Trump and Putin. The 10% of unresolved issues center on territorial disputes and enforcement mechanisms.
Key facts
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated ahead of his Dec. 28, 2025 meeting with President Trump that about 90% of the terms of a 20-point peace plan had been agreed upon by negotiating teams. The remaining 10% involves territorial disputes and enforcement mechanisms. Zelenskyy said the incomplete portions are the toughest issues.
After the meeting at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Zelenskyy confirmed that while overall 90% of the plan had achieved agreement, the United States and Ukraine had agreed 100% on security guarantees and the military dimension. The security guarantees would commit the U.S. and European allies to defend Ukraine if Russia attacks again.
The meeting followed Trump's phone conversation with Russian President Putin that lasted more than an hour. Trump didn't disclose details of the Putin call before meeting Zelenskyy. Critics say Trump should've included Ukraine in the Putin conversation to avoid undermining Ukraine's negotiating position.
Zelenskyy drafted the 20-part framework in response to the Trump administration proposing a 28-point plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy's plan includes security guarantees from the U.S. and Europe for Ukraine and the ability to join the European Union at a specific date. The 20-point plan doesn't explicitly concede territory to Russia.
Despite the progress, the talks produced no visible breakthrough on the sensitive issue of Ukrainian territory. Trump acknowledged that one or two very tough issues remained outstanding, including the status of the eastern Donbas region. Russia currently occupies roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory including Crimea.
Trump said Russia and Ukraine are maybe very close to a peace deal after the Zelenskyy meeting. Trump has repeatedly claimed he could end the war quickly. Critics worry the pressure for a quick deal could force Ukraine to accept unfavorable terms including permanent territorial losses.
Some lawmakers expressed concern about excluding Ukraine from key negotiations between Trump and Putin. The U.S. has historically maintained a policy of nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. Direct Trump-Putin talks without Ukrainian representation could undermine that principle.
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