As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday, a critical test for a proposed peace plan began amid entrenched positions. While President Trump expressed optimism, stating the "makings of a deal" were in place, the fundamental divide between Kyiv's proposed concessions and Moscow's unwavering demands remains a formidable obstacle to ending the nearly four-year war.
The Kremlin has maintained a clear and consistent set of objectives, which it views as essential for ensuring Russia's long-term security. Central to this is the resolution of the status of the Donbas region. Russian officials, including foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, have emphasized that Kyiv must make a "brave, responsible political decision" regarding the territory without delay. Moscow insists on Ukraine ceding all of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including areas still under Ukrainian control, a demand President Putin has affirmed Russia is prepared to accomplish by force if necessary.
This position is rooted in a broader historical and strategic context. Russia views the expansion of NATO eastward and what it calls the "oppression" of Russian speakers as the root causes of the conflict. The Kremlin sees any lasting peace as requiring legally binding guarantees that address these security concerns, including Ukraine's formal renunciation of NATO membership ambitions and a neutral status. From Moscow's perspective, temporary ceasefires or proposals that avoid these core issues only serve to prolong the conflict and are not a viable path to a durable settlement.
President Zelenskyy arrived at the Florida talks having made significant compromises in the 20-point peace plan, a notable shift from an earlier, more Russia-leaning 28-point draft. His proposal includes creating a potential demilitarized or "free economic zone" in the parts of Donetsk still under Kyiv's control, contingent on an equivalent Russian withdrawal. This framework, however, is far from acceptance in Moscow, as it falls short of Russia's demand for full sovereignty over the entire region.
Further complicating Zelenskyy's position is the deteriorating situation on the battlefield. As talks proceeded, Russian forces reported advances in key areas such as Myrnohrad and Hulaypole, applying direct military pressure to weaken Ukraine's negotiating stance. The Ukrainian president also faces profound domestic skepticism. A recent poll indicated that 75% of Ukrainians oppose a peace plan reflecting Russia's main demands, and many believe Moscow is preparing for a protracted war with no genuine intent to negotiate. Zelenskyy has stated that any final territorial decisions would require a national referendum, which itself would first necessitate a stable ceasefire, a condition Russia has so far refused.
Beyond the territorial question, several other critical issues remain unresolved. The future of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is a major point of contention, with U.S. proposals for shared management facing resistance from both Kyiv and Moscow. The mechanism and enforceability of Western security guarantees for Ukraine, intended to deter future aggression, are also undefined and have been rejected by the Kremlin as a "brazen threat".
Diplomatic efforts continue with the establishment of U.S.-Russia working groups on security and economic issues. However, with President Putin reiterating his commitment to maximalist goals and Ukraine standing on concessions its public may not support, the path to a final agreement remains narrow. The outcome hinges on whether ongoing diplomacy can bridge the gap between Ukraine's compromised sovereignty and the security guarantees Russia insists are non-negotiable.