Trump Claims Ukraine-Russia Peace Deal Is “Closer Than Ever”

UPDATE: President Donald Trump declared on December 24, 2023, that Ukraine and Russia are “closer than ever” to achieving a peace agreement during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Florida resort. This assertion comes as negotiations continue amid ongoing military actions, raising hopes yet emphasizing the complexities involved.

In a late afternoon news conference, Trump described his recent two-and-a-half-hour call with Vladimir Putin as “excellent,” further asserting that the Russian President remains committed to peace despite intensified attacks on Ukraine. “Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed,” Trump stated, while praising Zelenskyy as “brave” for his leadership during this turbulent time.

Both leaders acknowledged significant hurdles remain, particularly regarding the future of the Donbas region and security guarantees for Ukraine to prevent future invasions. Following their talks, Trump and Zelenskyy reached out to a broad coalition of European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, along with leaders from Finland, France, Germany, the UK, and Poland. They agreed to reconvene in January, potentially at the White House.

Trump confirmed that he plans to follow up with another call to Putin soon, as tensions persist. Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, described the Trump-Putin call as “friendly, benevolent, and businesslike,” but underscored the need for decisive political moves from Kyiv to achieve lasting peace.

The U.S. has been actively involved in facilitating the peace process, with Trump’s negotiators recently reporting that a preliminary 20-point peace proposal is around “90% ready.” Zelenskyy also indicated a willingness to reconsider Ukraine’s NATO aspirations in exchange for robust security guarantees akin to those of NATO members.

As peace talks intensify, Zelenskyy cautioned that sensitive issues remain unresolved, and he anticipates “intensive” weeks ahead. Trump, reflecting on the challenging negotiations, noted, “In a few weeks, we will know one way or the other. It’s been a very difficult negotiation.”

While both sides express optimism, the reality of ongoing conflict weighs heavily on discussions. Trump pointed out that while progress is being made, a single unforeseen issue could derail the negotiations. He emphasized the significance of resolving the Donbas question, which remains a contentious point between Ukraine and Russia.

The situation remains fluid as both leaders strive for a resolution, and international observers are keenly watching. The U.S. administration hopes for a breakthrough that could bring an end to nearly four years of conflict, but the path to peace is fraught with challenges.

Stay tuned for more urgent updates on this developing story as new information emerges on the diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine-Russia conflict.