A meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy occurred in Washington. This meeting followed a prior meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska. During the meeting, Zelenskyy wore a suit, a departure from the military attire he wore during a February White House meeting, which drew Trump’s displeasure. Both leaders found common ground on several important issues.
Zelenskyy, seated beside Trump in the Oval Office, thanked the American president for his ‘personal efforts’ to end the Russian war in Ukraine. Trump concluded the meeting by stating he would ask Putin to engage in trilateral talks, or the war would proceed. Although many matters were addressed, here are five crucial points from the meeting.
**Security Guarantees: Ukraine’s Primary Concern**
Zelenskyy’s demand for security guarantees was a central issue. When asked about the necessary security guarantees for a settlement, Zelenskyy declared that his country needed ‘everything.’ He stressed that a strong military, equipped with weaponry, personnel, training, and intelligence, was essential for Ukraine.
**Agreement on Trilateral Negotiations**
Trump announced his intention to contact Putin, requesting trilateral discussions. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy also agreed to these discussions, potentially leading to a meeting between the three leaders shortly.
**Trump’s Compliment on Attire**
Zelenskyy wore a suit to this meeting, which Trump approved of.
**A Challenging Conflict**
During the meeting, Trump acknowledged the difficulties of the current conflict, stating he had ended six previous wars but found this one to be the most challenging. He expressed hope for ending it.
**Trump: The War is Biden’s**
Trump blamed former President Joe Biden for the war, stating his belief that it would be easier to resolve. He noted the hardship the war inflicts on Ukraine. He said, “This is not my war, this is Joe Biden’s war. He has a big hand in this event, and we want to end it.”
