Overview
- The leaders said a 20-point framework is largely complete, with Zelensky putting overall agreement near 90% and both citing near-finished security guarantees that would lean heavily on European participation.
- Both identified the status of the Donbas as the chief unresolved issue, describing it as a tough territorial question with differing positions still under negotiation.
- Trump held a more than two-hour call with Vladimir Putin before the meeting, describing it as productive, and Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov called it friendly, with another call expected.
- After their talks, Trump and Zelensky consulted European leaders who welcomed progress and stressed ironclad guarantees, and Macron said coalition members will meet in Paris in early January to finalize contributions.
- Negotiators will reconvene next week, and Trump said the outcome should be clear within weeks, as Russian strikes in Kyiv and Sloviansk underscored the continued fighting during the diplomatic push.