Palm Beach/Washington, 29 December (H.S.): US President Donald Trump declared on Sunday that negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war stand closer than ever before following a terrific two-and-a-half-hour meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where both leaders identified the contested Donbas region as the principal remaining hurdle.

Trump, echoing a prior productive phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, told reporters that the sides had covered just about every subject, achieving substantial progress on a 20-point peace framework while cautioning that unresolved complexities could prolong the conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives since February 2022.

Zelensky, adopting a notably courteous tone mindful of past tensions, affirmed Ukraine's readiness for peace and outlined plans for a January summit in Washington with Trump and key European leaders.

Post-Meeting Optimism and Key RemarksEmerging from closed-door discussions in Mar-a-Lago's dining room, Trump emphasized mutual desire for resolution, stating, I really believe we're probably closer than—far closer than—ever before with both parties, and predicting clarity within weeks on whether a deal materializes.

He described security guarantees as nearing completion at 95 percent, with European involvement essential, and noted Putin's expressed seriousness despite recent Russian strikes on Kyiv.

Zelensky characterized the encounter as excellent and meaningful, confirming that his negotiators, including Rustem Umerov, had aligned with US envoys like Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on most elements, though he reiterated Kyiv's firm stance against unilateral territorial concessions.

The leaders jointly telephoned heads of state from France, Finland, Poland, Norway, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, NATO, and the European Commission, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcoming the good progress and pledging collaboration on robust safeguards.

Donbas as Central Sticking PointBoth Trump and Zelensky pinpointed the future of Donbas—encompassing Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where Ukraine retains about 20 percent control—as the very tough core dispute, with Moscow demanding full withdrawal and recognition of its claims.

Trump expressed confidence in resolution, proposing demilitarised free economic zones in contested areas potentially subject to referendums, while Zelensky insisted on symmetrical Russian pullbacks, international monitoring, and popular approval for any changes.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, post-Trump-Putin call, urged Kyiv for a bold Donbas exit to enable complete cessation, rejecting temporary ceasefires as rearmament opportunities.

No breakthroughs on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant oversight or NATO accession were announced, though Trump floated Russian aid for Ukrainian reconstruction, including energy supplies.

Broader Diplomatic ContextThe summit reprises dynamics from Zelensky's October visit, where Trump denied long-range missiles, and contrasts his February White House clash involving Vice President JD Vance's criticisms over gratitude.

European allies, wary of concessions emboldening aggression, have engaged cautiously, while Trump's self-styled president of peace push blends pressure on Kyiv with Moscow incentives. Zelensky proposed the January gathering—possibly at the White House—to finalize terms, signaling momentum despite skepticism over Putin's intentions amid ongoing assaults.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar