Trump Says U.S. and Ukraine ‘Much Closer’ to Peace Deal, but Thorny Issues Remain
U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States and Ukraine are “a lot closer” to reaching a peace agreement, though significant and unresolved issues remain, underscoring the complexity of negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said discussions between Washington and Kyiv had made substantial progress, particularly on security arrangements for Ukraine, but cautioned that several “thorny issues” still needed to be addressed before a final deal could be reached.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that an agreement on security guarantees had been reached, describing it as a critical step toward ensuring Ukraine’s long-term stability and deterrence against future aggression. Trump, however, characterized the process as “about 95% of the way there,” suggesting that final details remain under negotiation.
Security guarantees have been one of Kyiv’s central demands since Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Ukrainian officials seeking firm assurances from Western partners to prevent future attacks. While Ukraine has pushed for NATO membership, alternative security frameworks involving bilateral or multilateral commitments have also been under discussion.
The talks come amid continued fighting on the ground and growing international pressure to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict, which has displaced millions and reshaped global security dynamics. Washington has played a central role in supporting Ukraine militarily and diplomatically, while also signaling openness to negotiations if conditions allow.
Neither Trump nor Zelenskiy provided details on the remaining obstacles, though analysts say key sticking points are likely to include territorial questions, the scope of security guarantees, and Russia’s role in any potential settlement.
Officials on both sides indicated that negotiations are ongoing, with further announcements expected as talks continue.
