Key Takeaway: Mike Pompeo says Vladimir Putin has "conceded literally nothing" in Ukraine peace negotiations and doubts claims that talks are largely settled. Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators at Mar‑a‑Lago reported about 90% agreement on a 20‑point plan, but President Trump acknowledged territory remains the main unresolved issue. The dispute centers on land, sovereignty over annexed regions and security guarantees — especially restrictions on European forces near Russia.
Pompeo: Putin Has "Conceded Literally Nothing" — Mar‑a‑Lago Talks Report 90% Progress, But Territory Remains Sticking Point
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin has "conceded literally nothing" so far in negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, casting doubt on reports of broad agreement emerging from recent talks.
Pompeo's Assessment
"The adversary here, Vladimir Putin, has — to best I can tell — conceded literally nothing to date. And while they say there’s 90 percent agreement, I doubt that Vladimir Putin thinks that the relevant 10 percent that remains is anything he’s willing to give up on," Pompeo said on Fox News’s "Fox & Friends."
Pompeo argued the unresolved issues are primarily territorial and security-related. "This is about land. He also doesn’t want European forces on his border. That’s part of the security guarantee. I’ll bet that’s a poison pill for him," he added.
Mar‑a‑Lago Meeting And The 20‑Point Plan
On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators made "notable progress" on a 20‑point peace proposal during meetings at President Donald Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago club in Florida. Zelensky and Trump said the plan was roughly "90 percent agreed" in a joint news conference.
When asked about "the thorniest issues still unresolved," President Trump singled out territory: "I think the land — you’re talking about — some of that land has been taken. Some of that land is maybe up for grabs, but it may be taken over the next period of a number of months — and you’re better off making a deal now," he said.
Context And Next Steps
Analysts and officials stress that claims of "90 percent" agreement can mask disagreement on a few decisive items — notably sovereignty, the status of annexed regions and security guarantees that would limit foreign forces near Russia's border. Putin has previously indicated he would press for Ukrainian withdrawals from territories Russia annexed in 2022, according to reporting by The Associated Press.
As diplomats continue discussions, key questions remain about whether Moscow will accept limits on its territorial demands or security arrangements it views as vital. For now, Pompeo's comment underscores skepticism from some U.S. voices about how much progress is real and how much is negotiators' optimism.
Reporting includes statements from Mike Pompeo, President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump; background on annexations cited from The Associated Press. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc.
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