Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump concluded a highly anticipated two-and-a-half-hour meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property in Florida, marking the longest in-person negotiation between the two leaders so far this year. Both leaders described the talks as “great” with “productive discussions on all topics”, projecting a sense of optimism.

Despite the upbeat tone, observers note that little substantive progress has emerged from the summit regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Key Issues Remain Unresolved

One of the most critical unresolved issues is whether Ukraine will have to make territorial concessions to secure a peace agreement. This demand is reportedly a core part of Russia’s position and is said to have US support. Zelensky has not publicly accepted this, leaving the door open for negotiation, while suggesting that any deal could be subject to a Ukrainian referendum.

Another crucial point concerns US security guarantees for Ukraine. Although Zelensky stated they were “100% agreed with the US,” details of the guarantees remain unclear, raising questions about whether they would be sufficient to deter future Russian aggression.

Challenges With Russian Acceptance

Even if Trump and Zelensky reach an internal agreement, there is no guarantee Russia would accept the terms. Moscow has already rejected key proposals ahead of the Florida talks, including calls for a ceasefire and deployment of a multinational monitoring force in Ukraine.

Analysts also question Trump’s next steps if Russia refuses to comply. Observers note that Zelensky has historically borne the brunt of pressure during negotiations, while Trump continues to express positive rhetoric about Vladimir Putin, describing him as “serious” about peace and claiming he “wants to see Ukraine succeed.”

Summary: Optimism vs Reality

In summary, although Trump and Zelensky displayed optimism after the Mar-a-Lago summit, there is little evidence of meaningful progress toward lasting peace in Ukraine. Key issues—including territorial concessions, security guarantees, and Russian acceptance of proposals—remain unresolved, leaving the conflict poised to continue despite diplomatic efforts.