President Volodymyr Zelensky returned to the White House on Monday for talks with US President Donald Trump, joined by several European leaders, as efforts continue to find a breakthrough in ending the war in Ukraine.
The meeting came just days after Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which ended without a ceasefire agreement. While Trump struck an optimistic tone, European leaders were more cautious, and no firm commitments on security guarantees or a peace deal emerged by the end of the day.
Trump Pushes for Putin-Zelensky Meeting
Trump revealed he had called Putin to begin arranging a meeting with Zelensky, suggesting it could be followed by a trilateral session with the US president involved. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov later said it was “worthwhile” to explore raising the level of Russia-Ukraine negotiations, though Moscow has previously rejected the idea of a direct Putin-Zelensky encounter.
A hot mic captured Trump telling French President Emmanuel Macron: “I think he [Putin] wants to make a deal. I think he wants to make a deal for me.” Whether such talks can realistically bring the two wartime leaders face-to-face remains uncertain.
Ceasefire Dispute
Trump downplayed the need for a ceasefire before negotiations, diverging from Kyiv’s long-standing position. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pushed back, saying he “can’t imagine” talks happening without one, urging pressure on Russia to halt hostilities first. Zelensky, notably, did not repeat his usual demand for a ceasefire during Monday’s discussions.
US Security Guarantees on the Table
Trump hinted at possible US-backed security guarantees for Ukraine, though he offered no specifics. He did not rule out a limited American military presence but stressed Europe remained the “first line of defence.”
Zelensky later announced that part of the guarantee would involve a $90 billion arms package from Washington, including advanced aviation and missile systems, as well as a deal for the US to purchase Ukrainian drones. He said the framework for guarantees could be finalised within 10 days.
Zelensky’s Charm Offensive
In contrast to his contentious visit in February, Zelensky adopted a warmer approach in Washington. Wearing a dark suit instead of military fatigues, he repeatedly thanked his hosts and even handed Trump a personal letter from Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska to Melania Trump.
European leaders also showered Trump with praise. NATO chief Mark Rutte thanked him for his “leadership,” while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni credited him with shifting Moscow’s stance, saying, “something has changed.”
Still, leaders including Macron emphasised that any security arrangement for Ukraine would also affect Europe’s wider stability.
For now, the talks signalled momentum but stopped short of concrete steps toward peace — with the prospect of a historic Putin-Zelensky meeting hanging as the next potential milestone.
