Trump, Zelenskyy Comment After Talks — What They Said
U.S. and Ukrainian leaders Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to the media after meeting on December 28, offering brief remarks on the talks.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to a live translation on UATV English.
After the U.S. and Ukrainian presidents held a press conference, Donald Trump said they had a “terrific meeting.” “We discussed a lot of things,” he added.
A 20-point peace plan was discussed, with 90% agreement, while U.S.-Ukraine security guarantees were reportedly 100% agreed, according to President Zelenskyy. Trump added, “You can say 95%, but I don't like to say percentages. There are one or two very thorny issues”.
The issue of an “economic zone in Donbas” is also moving closer to resolution. Although Trump said the matter remains difficult, Zelenskyy emphasized that they have different views with Russia on the Donbas issue.
"This is Ukrainian land, not a question of one person,” Ukrainian president noted. He also referenced the Ukrainian Constitution and touched on the possibility of a referendum.
On control over the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, one of the major points of contention in the peace talks, Trump said that Putin was open to working with Ukraine.
“President Putin is actually working with Ukraine on getting it open,” he said. “It’s a big step, when he’s not bombing that plant.”
When asked about his conversation with President Putin ahead of the meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump said that “Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed. It sounds a little strange.” He added that Putin was very "generous in his feeling toward Ukraine succeeding".
At the same time, Trump noted that Putin does not want a ceasefire: "If they have to start again, he does not want to be in that position, and I understand that position.”
Trump also expressed hope that a deal could be signed within the coming weeks but did not rule out the possibility that negotiations could fail. Asked what happens if no deal is reached, he replied, “they keep fighting and they keep dying,” adding, “we don’t want that to happen.”
On that note, Trump and Zelenskyy concluded the news conference.
As The Gaze reported earlier, on Sunday, December 28, talks were held in Florida between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump on a possible peace settlement. The discussions focused on a 20-point plan and security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of signing a peace agreement. Ahead of the meeting, Donald Trump held a separate phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Before the talks, Trump said that he believes there is political will on all sides to reach an agreement and added he plans to continue negotiations, including further talks with the Russian president after meeting Zelenskyy.
He also highlighted the economic dimension of a potential settlement, describing Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction as a major opportunity with significant economic potential.
Read also on The Gaze: Why Donald Trump is Interested in a Quick, Not Quality, Completion of the War in Ukraine