US President Donald Trump sent optimistic signals on Friday regarding negotiations over the war in Ukraine, saying that “very good talks” are under way and suggesting that progress could be made in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said there had been “very good discussions today on Russia–Ukraine” and added that “something could happen”. His remarks come as the war, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, continues with no clear end in sight.
Trump had pledged during his election campaign to bring the war to an end. However, one year after returning to the White House, that promise remains unfulfilled, with talks taking place in a complex geopolitical environment.
Plan for peace deal by March
According to sources cited by Reuters, US and Ukrainian negotiators discussed an ambitious goal of reaching a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine by March. The timetable remains uncertain, however, as major disagreements persist over territorial issues.
Under the framework discussed, any agreement could be put to a referendum in Ukraine, alongside national elections. Sources familiar with the talks said the possibility of holding both the referendum and elections simultaneously in May was also examined.
Talks in Abu Dhabi and Miami
The second round of negotiations in Abu Dhabi produced limited results, leading only to the exchange of 314 prisoners of war and a commitment to continue talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the next trilateral meeting could take place in the United States.
The US negotiating team is led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. According to sources, they told their Ukrainian counterparts it would be preferable for electoral processes to take place sooner rather than later.
Concerns over timing and martial law
Despite US pressure, several sources described the proposed May election timetable as unrealistic, noting that Ukraine’s electoral authorities estimate that around six months of preparation would be required under current conditions. Elections would also require legislative changes, as they are prohibited while martial law remains in force, while the issue of cost also remains unresolved.
The Ukrainian side is calling for a ceasefire throughout the pre-election period to safeguard the integrity of the process. At the same time, concerns are being voiced in Kyiv over Moscow’s reliability, with sources stressing that no agreement can be reached without security guarantees for Ukraine from the United States and its partners.
Talks are expected to continue, but the outcome remains uncertain in a conflict that continues to shape international relations.