Al-Watan Al-Youm News – December 29, 2025
Written by | Hassan Al-Najjar
U.S. President Donald Trump held a press conference on Sunday with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
“We Are Getting Close to a Deal”
Trump said the meeting with Zelenskyy was good, explaining that negotiations are getting very close to reaching an agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
He added that he had spoken with European leaders about Ukraine, noting significant progress as Europe will take major responsibility for security guarantees.
He explained that Russia wants Ukraine to relinquish territories, stressing that it is a difficult and complicated issue.
Trump also clarified that no agreement has been reached on the economic zone in Donbas, confirming that it remains “stuck.”
Despite this, the U.S. President believed that the issue of Ukrainian territories would be resolved, pointing out that Ukraine and Russia are approaching an agreement on Donbas.
Trump confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin did not bomb the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, considering this a good thing.
He announced that Putin is working with Ukraine to open the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, and that Russia will help in rebuilding Ukraine.
Trump also stated that the world has a few weeks to end the Ukraine war if things go well, explaining that the outcomes of Russian-Ukrainian talks will be known during that period.
He said: “We are closer than ever to reaching an agreement between Russia and Ukraine,” announcing his readiness to deliver a speech before the Ukrainian parliament.
Additionally, the U.S. President confirmed that his country receives no money in exchange for aiding Ukraine.
Zelenskyy: We Are Ready for Peace
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his country’s readiness for peace.
He confirmed Trump’s words that the world has a few weeks to end the Ukraine war if things go well.
He also clarified that his country will work with U.S. officials to end the war, and that he will meet with European leaders in Washington next month.
He revealed that agreement has been reached on security guarantees by 100% and reconstruction, but pointed out that the Donbas region crisis remains stuck.
Zelenskyy added that he discussed the 20-point peace plan, and that security guarantees will represent a fundamental pillar.
The Ukrainian President described the meeting with Trump as “wonderful,” where progress was made in the talks.
Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainians abroad have the right to participate in any referendum.
The Modified U.S. Plan
It is noteworthy that the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy came days after the latter revealed the modified U.S. plan to end the war, which was updated following talks with Kyiv.
The modified plan includes freezing the current front line without providing an immediate solution to Russia’s demands, which include control over territories comprising more than 19% of Ukraine.
Washington is pressuring Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining parts under its control in the eastern Donetsk region, estimated at about 20% of the total area, based on Russian demands in this regard.
Washington has also proposed joint management between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine for the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the largest of its kind in Europe, which has come under Russian control.
