European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen "welcomed" the "good progress" achieved during negotiations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump on ending the war.
"Europe is ready to continue cooperation with Ukraine and our American partners to consolidate the progress achieved," von der Leyen wrote on social network X after an hour-long conference call with Zelensky, Trump and several European leaders following the Mar-a-Lago meeting.
"The key point in these efforts is having iron-clad security guarantees from the very first day," the European Commission President emphasized, setting the main condition for European support of the peace plan.
The Zelensky-Trump negotiations at the Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes and became the longest of all their meetings. Significant results were achieved following the talks.
Zelensky announced substantial progress: "The 20-point plan is 90% agreed upon, security guarantees from the U.S. - 100%, guarantees from the U.S. and Europe - 90%, military dimension - 100%, the prosperity plan is being finalized." Trump assessed overall progress at approximately 95%.
The territorial issue remains most challenging. "You know our position, we must respect our law and our people, our attitude toward this is very clear," Zelensky said. Trump confirmed: "The Donbas issue has not yet been resolved, I think it will be resolved."
The leaders discussed the possibility of a referendum to approve the peace plan. "We talked about a referendum, we can use it for the plan, or parliament will vote," Zelensky explained. According to him, if the plan is difficult for society, people should vote. Trump noted that Ukrainians abroad will also be able to participate in the vote.
Regarding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Trump stated: "Putin is working with Ukraine to launch ZNPP. It's the world's largest nuclear power plant with five thousand employees. It can be operated immediately." Previously, Zelensky reported that the American side proposed the possibility of managing the plant with participation from Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S.
Trump also reported that on the day of his meeting with Zelensky, he held a phone conversation with Putin that lasted over 2.5 hours. "We discussed many points. I really think we're getting closer, even very close," he stated.
Trump noted the need to accelerate negotiations: "Russia still wants to seize territories in the coming months, so we need to hurry with a peace agreement." He noted that Putin does not yet agree to a ceasefire: "When Zelensky was ready, Putin wasn't. When Putin was ready, Zelensky wasn't. But I think both want this to happen."
The U.S. President also stated that "Russia wants to see Ukraine successful" and is "ready to participate in Ukraine's reconstruction."
The American working group on Ukraine will include Secretary of State Rubio, Defense Secretary Hegseth, Special Representative Witkoff, Advisor Kushner, and General Kellogg. Ukrainian representatives may join the group.
Zelensky invited Trump to visit Ukraine. "Perhaps I will go to Ukraine to address parliament. I don't think it's necessary, but if it helps save 25,000 lives a month - I'll go," Trump responded.
Zelensky expressed hope to finalize agreements within the coming weeks. "I hope that in January we will make decisions on all documents," he said. Trump confirmed he will continue the conversation with Zelensky, and a trilateral meeting in the Trump-Zelensky-Putin format may take place "at the right time."
A source in the Ukrainian president's team characterized the meeting as "one of the most important ever."