In a series of recent developments concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks around late December 2025 in Florida, focusing on a potential peace agreement. Following their meeting, President Trump expressed optimism, suggesting that Russia and Ukraine were "getting a lot closer, maybe very close" to a deal to end the war, despite acknowledging that significant details remained unresolved. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed that the United States had proposed a 15-year security guarantee for Ukraine as part of the peace plan under discussion. However, he indicated a preference for a much longer commitment, ideally up to 50 years, to provide more robust deterrence against future Russian aggression. Key sticking points in the negotiations continue to be contentious territorial issues, particularly the fate of the Donbas region and the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Despite initial claims of progress, the path to peace appears fraught with challenges. In an interview with Reuters on January 15, 2026, President Trump stated that he believed Ukraine, rather than Russia, was holding up a potential peace deal, a sentiment that contrasted sharply with the views of many European allies. Zelenskyy, in response, affirmed Ukraine's commitment to peace, emphasizing that Russian missile attacks demonstrated Moscow's lack of interest in genuine agreements. Ukrainian officials, including chief negotiator Rustem Umerov, continued discussions with US counterparts, with further talks expected at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, highlighting ongoing diplomatic efforts amidst persistent military conflict.