US and Ukrainian presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky met today at the White House.
European leaders also arrived in Washington – French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Trump says Zelensky can end the war “if he wants to,” but that “Ukraine’s entry into NATO” will not be part of a peace agreement.
Trump also says there is “no going back” of the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow illegally annexed in 2014.
Trump’s special envoy says Vladimir Putin has agreed to “robust” security guarantees for Ukraine – including a potential defense arrangement modeled on NATO.
Zelensky reiterated his call for security guarantees, after he had earlier welcomed the historical decision of the USA to do so in the event of a peace agreement with Russia.
Trump welcomed Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the White House on Monday wearing more formal attire than his usual military uniform, but still did not opt for a full suit and tie, CNN reports.
Earlier, a European official told CNN that Zelensky’s choice of wardrobe was a topic of discussion between US and Ukrainian officials ahead of Monday’s talks at the White House. The official said that Donald Trump’s administration suggested that Zelensky should not come in his usual military uniform.
Zelensky’s attire became a subject of controversy during his disastrous Oval Office meeting with Trump in February. When he welcomed the Ukrainian leader to the White House, Trump cynically quipped: “He’s all dressed up today.”
First statements by Trump and Zelensky at the beginning of the meeting
US President Donald Trump said at the beginning of the meeting with Zelensky, while journalists were in the Oval Office, that “considerable progress” is being made in his efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
“We have had a lot of good discussions and a lot of good conversations, and I think that progress is being made, very significant progress in many ways,” Trump said, sitting next to Zelensky.
“We had a good meeting, as you know, a short time ago, with the president of Russia. And I think there is a possibility that something will come out of it,” he added.
Zelensky thanked the American president for his “personal efforts” to stop the war in Ukraine.
During the address, Trump was asked if this was the end of American support for Ukraine if an agreement was not reached.
“I can never say that. That’s never the end of the road. People are dying, and we want to stop that. So I wouldn’t say it’s the end of the road,” Trump replied.
“No, I think we have a good chance to make it happen,” he added.
Zelensky handed US President Donald Trump a letter from the Ukrainian first lady for Melania Trump.
“My wife, the first lady of Ukraine, sent a letter. It’s not for you – it’s for your wife,” he said, drawing laughter in the room.
In the Oval Office, Trump was asked about security guarantees for Ukraine and whether the US would participate in them.
“We’ll let you know about that maybe later today,” Trump replied. “We are also meeting with seven great leaders of great countries, and we will talk about it. Everyone will be involved, but there will be a lot – there will be a lot of help when it comes to security.”
“They are the first line of defense because they are there,” Trump said of Europe, adding: “But we will help them. And we will also be involved.”
While seeking to stop the war in Ukraine, Trump said the conflict would end, but added: “When it will end, I can’t tell you.”
“The war will end, and this gentleman wants it to end, and Vladimir Putin wants it to end,” Trump said, sitting next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. “I think the whole world is tired of it, and we are going to end it.”
The meeting between Trump and European leaders has begun
A delegation of European leaders, in a coordinated effort to support Kyiv, is at the White House for a meeting with President Donald Trump and is holding talks in an effort to shape future Western support for Ukraine.
European leaders are expected to pressure Trump to join their tough stance on Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to avoid future conflicts.
Security guarantees and territorial concessions are on the table
President Donald Trump outlined the goals of his talks with European leaders, stating that they will discuss “who will do what” as part of security guarantees for Ukraine and “possible territorial exchanges” to end the war.
“President Putin agreed that Russia would accept security guarantees for Ukraine. And that is one of the key points that we have to consider, and we will consider it at the table,” said Trump.
“I am optimistic that collectively we can reach an agreement that would deter any future aggression against Ukraine, and in fact I don’t think there will be any,” Trump added.
The US president stated that the issue of territorial concessions will take into account “the current line of contact”.
President Donald Trump hinted that a solution on security guarantees for Ukraine would be reached today, after a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.
“I think we will come to a solution for almost everything today, including probably security,” Trump said in the East Room, next to Zelensky and European leaders.
At the beginning of his address, Trump said to Zelensky: “I have a feeling that you and President Putin will agree on something. Ultimately, this is a decision that only President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine can make, together in agreement with President Putin. And I think very good things will come out of it.”
Security conditions could represent a compromise that protects Ukraine without allowing it to join NATO – a step that Russia has long warned it will not accept.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, earlier described such guarantees as “Article 5-like protection,” which would be similar to that given to NATO members.
Zelensky: “I had a very good conversation with Trump”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a “very good conversation” with US President Donald Trump ahead of their multilateral meeting with other European leaders.
“I think we had a very good conversation with President Trump,” he said.
“We discussed very sensitive issues.”
Stubb: “More progress has been made in the last two weeks than in 3 and a half years”
In his statements at the table with other European leaders, Finnish President Alexander Stubb expressed optimism about ending the war, saying: “I think we have probably made more progress in the last two weeks in ending this war than in the last 3 and a half years.”
He stated that the gathering of leaders at the White House is “very symbolic in the sense that it is a team of Europe and the United States that is helping Ukraine.”
“And the progress we expect from this meeting concerns security guarantees, which are a big part of it,” he added.
Addressing the media who wondered why he was sitting at the table, Stubb reminded of Finland’s “long border” with Russia and his own past conflicts.
“If I look at the bright side of the current situation, we found a solution in 1944 and I am sure that we will be able to find a solution in 2025 to end the Russian aggression, and to achieve a lasting and just peace,” he said. “The situation is very difficult, but that’s why we are here.”
MORE TOPICS:
REPUBLIKA SRPSKA WILL GET A NEW GOVERNMENT: Radovan Višković resigned as prime minister!
“ZELENSKY CAN END THE WAR IMMEDIATELY”: Trump said that Ukraine should give up Crimea and NATO!
Source: Telegraf.rs, Photo: Alex Brandon/AP