Former U.S. President Donald Trump, during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, indicated that a decision regarding the future of the Russia-Ukraine war, either continued conflict or peace, was expected to be reached within one to two weeks. He stated that the meeting would be followed by another, leading to a subsequent decision. Trump emphasized his focus on saving lives and expressed optimism about the meeting’s outcomes.
Trump mentioned indirect communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with plans for a follow-up conversation after the meeting. He expressed his aim to organize a trilateral meeting. He acknowledged the possibility of the trilateral talks not happening, which could mean the war continuing, while the talks could significantly increase the possibility of its conclusion.
Trump stated his desire to halt the war and noted discussions about a long-term peace agreement, reflecting the European interest in peace. He clarified that even if the meeting was unsuccessful, U.S. support for Ukraine would persist.
Trump argued that a peace treaty held more importance than a ceasefire, viewing the latter as a temporary measure. He placed blame for the war on former President Joe Biden, claiming it wouldn’t have started under his presidency.
Trump affirmed U.S. commitment to providing security to Ukraine. He highlighted Putin’s opposition to Ukraine joining NATO, a topic not yet extensively addressed. He said they would sell weapons to NATO, allowing NATO to provide them to Ukraine, and that the U.S. would aid in the European conflict.
Zelensky characterized the meeting as highly positive and hinted at potentially even more fruitful discussions in the future. He expressed Ukraine’s willingness to engage in a trilateral meeting with Trump and emphasized the ongoing importance of discussions regarding security guarantees. He underlined the significance of a strong signal from the U.S. and Russia’s readiness to consider security guarantees.
European leaders offered diverse perspectives. Germany stressed the need to increase pressure on Russia and proposed a ceasefire before the next meeting, anticipating a more difficult subsequent phase. France expressed concerns about the threat to European security and advocated for a European leader’s involvement in talks with Putin. The UK emphasized the necessity of security guarantees for Europe and the importance of setting a favorable environment for trilateral talks. Italy highlighted the importance of security guarantees for Ukraine, suggesting options similar to Article 5. Finland advocated for trilateral talks, drawing on its experience in both war and reconciliation with Russia. Ursula von der Leyen urged Russia to cease the killing of civilians, with the EU prioritizing Ukraine’s security and the release of prisoners of war.
The meeting between Zelensky and Trump included numerous European leaders at the White House, encompassing Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the UK, Alexander Stubb, President of Finland, Emmanuel Macron, President of France, Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
