Progress but no breakthrough after meeting with Zelensky: Trump

Ukraine's leader says '90%' of peace framework agreed while Russia's Putin continues to press his demands

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Donald Trump said he made "a lot of progress" in talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over a possible peace deal with Russia, but that it might take a few weeks to get it done and there was no set timeline.

The pair met at Mr Trump's Mara-Lago resort in Florida on Dec 28, where they had lunch and later spoke on the phone with a group of European leaders to brief them on their progress.

The tone of their news conference after the meeting was warm, even as it became clear that Mr Trump was not much closer to his goal of ending the war that began with Russia's invasion in 2022.

"We discussed all the aspects of the peace framework," Mr Zelen-sky said, adding that it was “90 per cent agreed".

"US-Ukraine security guarantees - 100 per cent agreed. US, Europe, Ukraine security guarantees - almost agreed. Military dimension - 100 per cent agreed. Prosperity plan being finalised," he said.

Among the major sticking points left: the future of Ukraine's Donbas region, which is partially occupied by Russian forces. Mr Trump told reporters the issue was still unresolved, but "getting a lot closer".

Mr Trump said he would be willing to speak to Ukraine's Parliament if that would help cement a deal. He also said he could envision a trilateral meeting with Mr Zelen-sky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I see that happening sure, at the right time," he said.

Before the meeting, Mr Trump said he had a "good and very productive" phone call with Mr Putin, and he planned to speak with him again after meeting Mr Zelensky.

He also said he was aiming to convene a meeting with Mr Zelen-sky and European leaders in January. Mr Zelensky wrote later in a post on social media platform X that the meeting would take place in Washington.