UPDATE 2 - Trump says 'a lot of progress' made on ending Russia-Ukraine war after Zelenskyy meeting

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By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - US President Donald Trump said Sunday that significant progress was made toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"We covered somebody would say 95%. I don't know what percent, but we have made a lot of progress on ending that war, which is really certainly the most deadly war since World War Two, probably the biggest war since World War Two," he said.

Trump said the remaining parts of the peace plan could be agreed on in "a few weeks" if work goes "really well."

He said one or two "very thorny issues" remain in efforts to end the war, with one concerning land already taken during the conflict.

Trump also said he discussed Ukraine's post-war reconstruction with Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding Moscow will help, "including supplying energy, electricity and other things at very low prices."

"Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed. President Putin was very generous in his feeling toward Ukraine succeeding," he said.

Trump also said he is ready to address Ukraine's parliament to help advance the peace process.

"If it would help save 25,000 lives a month...I would certainly be willing to do that," he said.

He said a trilateral meeting between himself, Putin and Zelenskyy could happen at an appropriate time.

"I see that happening at the right time," he said.

Asked about security assurances for Ukraine, Trump said: "We want to work with Europe, and Europe is going to take over a big part of it," adding the US will be helping Europe.

Asked if Putin agreed to a ceasefire to allow a referendum in Ukraine, Trump said Putin opposes stopping the fighting temporarily only to potentially restart again.

"I think we're finding ways that we can get around that," he added.

- 20-point peace plan 90% agreed on

Zelenskyy said they had "really great discussions on all the topics," noting the progress made by American and Ukrainian teams in recent weeks.

He said 90% of the 20-point peace plan is agreed on, US-Ukraine security guarantees are 100% agreed, and US-Europe-Ukraine security guarantees are almost agreed, noting the military dimension is 100% agreed on and a prosperity plan is being finalized.

"We also discussed the sequencing of the following actions, and we agree that security guarantees are a key milestone in achieving lasting peace," Zelenskyy said.

He acknowledged the difficult choices ahead, however, saying: "If the plan will be very difficult for our society...our society has to choose...because it's their land, not of one person."

Zelenskyy said after the talks with Trump and European leaders that "we agreed that our teams will meet in upcoming weeks to finalize all discussed matters."

He also said that Trump will host Ukrainian and European leaders in Washington in January.

Trump hosted Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida to discuss the US plan to end the nearly four-year conflict.

Zelenskyy arrived in the US on Sunday following a visit to neighboring Canada.