• Trump and Zelenskyy report substantial progress towards a peace deal for Ukraine.
• Discussions focused on a 20-point peace plan, with 90% of its terms reportedly agreed upon.
• Territorial disputes and security guarantees remain key unresolved issues in the negotiations.
• Renewed Russian attacks complicate the diplomatic efforts just ahead of the meeting.
• Trump stresses the importance of European support and involvement in the peace process.

US President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, amidst escalating Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities. Both leaders expressed optimism regarding a peace deal, suggesting that they are "maybe very close" to finalizing an agreement, with emphasis on the urgency of concluding the talks due to the humanitarian crisis stemming from the conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives since the invasion began in February 2022. Trump remarked, "I think we’re getting a lot closer, maybe very close," following a productive day filled with discussions, according to Indiatimes and AA.

The negotiations centered around a revised "20-point peace plan" proposed by Ukraine, which both Trump and Zelenskyy indicated was "about 90% agreed" upon, with security guarantees for Ukraine being a major point of convergence. Zelenskyy noted that the discussions are set to continue, with teams from both sides meeting again soon to tackle the remaining issues, including territorial concessions that have proven controversial. Meanwhile, Russia’s stance on the plan appears dismissive, as indicated by aides to President Putin, who expressed skepticism about elements proposed, such as the deployment of European peacekeepers to Ukraine, according to AA and Indiatimes.

Trump highlighted the necessity of European involvement in the security guarantees, stating that the US would support Europe in guaranteeing Ukraine's safety. He emphasized that negotiations could find ground over the next few weeks and noted that "one or two very thorny issues" remained pending, particularly concerning territory and the future of the eastern Donbas region. This land remains a significant sticking point, with Trump's remarks reflecting an awareness of the difficulties inherent in reaching a resolution; he characterized the issue as "very tough," but possible to resolve, according to BBC and Indiatimes.

As the backdrop of renewed military aggression plays out, the urgency in Trump's and Zelenskyy's discussions was palpable. Just before the meeting, Trump engaged in a lengthy call with Putin, where they discussed the current situation in Ukraine and the importance of continued dialogue. Following the meeting with Zelenskyy, both leaders also spoke with key European leaders, emphasizing the consensus on the need for robust security guarantees. The collaborative effort to resolve the crisis thus underscores an ongoing commitment to peace amid the tumultuous backdrop of war, according to Indiatimes and Al Jazeera.