Zelenskyy Trump peace deal talks have reached a critical juncture. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is now pushing for an immediate face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The goal is clear: finalize a stalled agreement intended to end the war with Russia.
While negotiators in Miami have successfully drafted 90% of a comprehensive 20-point framework, talks have hit a wall regarding specific land disputes. Consequently, Zelenskyy believes only a presidential-level intervention can resolve the remaining deadlock over eastern territories and critical energy infrastructure.
“Matters such as territorial questions must be discussed at the leaders’ level,” Zelenskyy stated regarding the impasse.
Sticking Points: Land and Nuclear Energy
The drafted peace roadmap is extensive, yet two massive obstacles threaten to derail the progress.
First, the Donetsk region remains a volatile flashpoint. Moscow is currently demanding a total Ukrainian withdrawal from the area. However, Kyiv is refusing to cede ground. Ukraine’s counter-proposal is a “remain where we are” strategy, freezing the conflict at the current battle lines.
“If all regions are included and we remain where we are, we can reach an agreement,” the Ukrainian President added.
Second, the fate of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant—Europe’s largest nuclear facility—hangs in the balance.
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The U.S. Proposal: A three-way operation involving multiple stakeholders.
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The Ukrainian Counter: A joint 50-50 enterprise solely between Ukraine and the United States.
To navigate these disagreements, Washington officials are reportedly analyzing the feasibility of establishing demilitarized zones or free economic zones in the contested regions.
A “Coalition of the Willing”
Despite the territorial friction, the Miami talks produced significant breakthroughs on security. The updated framework ensures Ukraine will maintain a standing army of 800,000 personnel.
Furthermore, future stability will not rely on vague promises. Instead, the deal outlines a “Coalition of the Willing” to provide robust security guarantees against any future Russian aggression.
The framework also looks beyond the battlefield. It includes detailed economic roadmaps designed to attract international investment and fast-track reconstruction efforts.
Next Steps
The ball is now effectively in Moscow’s court to review the latest proposal.
However, Zelenskyy warned that without a breakthrough on the current contact lines, the war could drag on indefinitely. Alternatively, it may force negotiators to consider unconventional economic models to settle the status of the disputed lands.
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