Trump: "95% of Ceasefire Deal Reached... Approaching Agreement on Donbas Territory"

Three-Hour Summit with Zelensky
Donbas Territorial Dispute Remains Unresolved
U.S. Proposes 'Free Economic Zone' as Compromise
Consensus Reached on Immediate Restart of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant
Zelensky: "100% Agreement on Military Security

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are holding a joint press conference on the 28th (local time) after concluding the U.S.-Ukraine summit for Russia-Ukraine peace at the Mar-a-Lago Resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo by AP

The Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations have reached a critical juncture. On the 28th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a deal containing "strong security guarantees for Ukraine" is currently underway.

President Trump held a joint briefing after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Mar-a-Lago Resort in Florida on this day, stating, "I believe (Russia and Ukraine) will reach an agreement," and added, "The peace negotiations are in their final stage."

President Trump said, "There will be a security-related agreement. It will be a strong agreement with deep involvement from European countries," and added, "Europe will play a major role." He also emphasized that there is "no deadline" for the peace negotiations.

Previously, President Zelensky had announced on the 25th that he would meet with President Trump to discuss the recently drafted 20-point peace plan, security guarantees, and postwar reconstruction. After the meeting, he stated, "There is 100% agreement on military aspects, and 90% agreement on the overall plan." This suggests that while there is consensus on security guarantees, differences remain regarding territorial issues.

Currently, the biggest point of contention in the peace plan discussions is the territorial issue. Ukraine is demanding a ceasefire based on the current front lines. In contrast, Russia is demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from eastern Donetsk and the cession of territory in the Donbas region.

The United States, in an effort to mediate the differences between the two sides, proposed a compromise to establish a demilitarized zone and a free economic zone in the Donetsk region, parts of which are currently under Ukrainian control. However, the specific details of how this would be operated have not been released.

Regarding the proposal to establish a free economic zone as a solution to the Donbas issue, the United States stated, "It has not been resolved yet, but the positions of Russia and Ukraine have come much closer."

When asked how close the parties are to reaching a peace agreement, President Trump expressed confidence, saying, "It could be about 95%." In particular, regarding the Donbas territorial issue, he responded, "We are moving in the right direction."

On another contentious issue, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, he said, "Russian President Vladimir Putin is working with Ukraine to operate the plant," and emphasized, "President Putin has been very cooperative."

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, located in southern Ukraine, is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and is currently under Russian control. About two weeks ago, it temporarily lost external power supply due to a Russian attack. Although it is not currently operating, continuous power supply is necessary to cool the reactors.

The United States wants Ukraine, the United States, and Russia to jointly establish a company with equal shares to operate the Zaporizhzhia plant, with the United States serving as the chief executive officer. However, Ukraine maintains that Russia should not be involved in the operation of the plant.

President Trump relayed that, prior to his meeting with President Zelensky, he had a phone call with President Putin and said, "Russia will also help with Ukraine's reconstruction." After the meeting, he reportedly spoke with President Putin and European leaders to explain the results of the talks.

Before this meeting, President Zelensky met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and held a series of phone calls with European leaders, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, to coordinate their positions. After the meeting, President Zelensky revealed that President Trump proposed to soon invite Ukrainian and European delegations to Washington, D.C.