Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope that Monday’s critical talks with Ukrainian and European leaders at the White House could lead to trilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring an end to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Monday’s hastily assembled meeting comes after Trump met with Putin and has said that the onus is now on Zelenskyy to agree to concessions that he said could end the war.
A group of European political heavy-hitters also met with Trump on Monday, and they are looking to safeguard Ukraine and the continent from any widening aggression from Moscow.
Zelenskyy Supports Meeting With Putin
Zelenskyy said Monday that he’s on board with a one-on-one meeting with Putin that was proposed by Russia and encouraged by Trump. The U.S. president called Putin Monday to arrange the meeting.During a press conference following a day of meetings with Trump and other European leaders, Zelenskyy briefed reporters in Ukrainian.
Zelenskyy and Trump say that the initial meeting would be followed up by a second meeting between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.
Speaking outside the White House, the Ukrainian president said “we are ready” for meetings with other leaders. He said such meetings are the only way to move forward with the “complicated and painful issues” the discussions will entail.
Zelenskyy said that there is not yet a set date or location for his meeting with Putin.
However, he said he expects security guarantees for Ukraine to be worked out within the next seven to 10 days.
"Security guarantees will probably be 'unpacked' by our partners, and more and more details will emerge," Zelenskyy said.
He encouraged the United States to “[send] a clear signal that it will be among the countries helping to coordinate and will also be a participant in the security guarantees for Ukraine.”
Zelenskyy also mentioned agreements with the United States to furnish drones and about $90 billion worth of U.S. weapons.
Trump Says Missing Children Is ‘Subject at the Top of All Lists’
President Donald Trump said Monday that his administration is prioritizing the issue of missing children.He said discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen included “the massive worldwide problem of missing children.”
“This is, likewise, a big subject with my wife, Melania,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “It is a subject at the top of all lists, and the World will work together to solve it, hopefully bringing them home to their families!”
First Lady Melania Trump wrote a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin last week urging peace and suggesting compassion for the future of humanity as the common ground needed to end conflicts.
“As parents, it is our duty to nurture the next generation’s hope. As leaders, the responsibility to sustain our children extends beyond the comfort of a few,” she wrote. “Undeniably, we must strive to paint a dignity-filled world for all—so that every soul may wake to peace, and so that the future itself is perfectly guarded.”
Putin–Zelenskyy Meeting Expected Within 2 Weeks: Merz
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected to meet sometime in the next two weeks, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told reporters at the Willard Hotel Monday in Washington.With a peace deal in the works, the stakes are high, the chancellor said.
“President Zelenskyy, for his part, said that he can hardly imagine having such a meeting with Putin without there being a cease-fire,” Merz said.
The press conference took place after a multilateral meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.
Merz confirmed that Trump had already spoken with Putin and arranged the meeting between the two leaders, with a trilateral summit to follow.
Details about the location and exact timing are to be determined.
The chancellor said Monday's multilateral discussion with European officials and Trump proved successful.
Kremlin Shares Details of Trump–Putin Phone Call
The Kremlin on Monday provided additional details of what was discussed in a call between Trump and Putin as leaders seek to end the three-and-a-half-year conflict.“Half an hour ago, at the initiative of the U.S. President, a phone call took place between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin,” Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said in a Russian language audio message posted to the Kremlin’s Telegram channel.
He called the conversation “frank and highly constructive in nature.”
The call was made after a day of meetings between Trump, Zelenskyy, and other European leaders in Washington.
Ushakov said that Putin and Trump expressed mutual support for continuing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and "agreed to maintain close contact with each other on the Ukrainian issue and other pressing topics on the international and bilateral agenda."
Ushakov said that Putin "once again emphasized the importance of the efforts personally undertaken by Donald Trump in seeking solutions that would lead to a long-term resolution in Ukraine.”
Trump Says Europe Will Guarantee Ukrainian Security
President Donald Trump said that Europe is responsible for guaranteeing security for Ukraine, in coordination with the United States.“Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine,” Trump wrote on Truth Social after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House.
“Again, this was a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years.”
During his bilateral Oval Office discussion with Zelenskyy, Trump mentioned that the United States would help Europe provide security for Ukraine.
On U.S. security guarantees, Zelenskyy told reporters he needed “everything,” from military equipment to intelligence, training, and more.
Trump Calls Putin to Arrange Meeting With Zelenskyy
Trump said Monday that he had called Putin to arrange a meeting with Zelenskyy after the Ukrainian president and other European leaders met with Trump at the White House.“At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
European leaders joined Zelenskyy to push for the inclusion of Ukraine in any negotiations to end the war.
Trump said that following that meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, Trump would join them for a trilateral meeting.
Multilateral Meeting Moves to Oval Office
After nearly three hours, the meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders in the East Room has concluded. Parties have moved to the Oval Office to continue talks, according to the White House.Meloni Credits Trump With Progress on Peace Talks
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni credited Trump with changing the Russian position on peace talks.Merz Calls for Cease-fire
The German chancellor said he would “like to see a ceasefire from the next meeting, which should be a trilateral meeting” with Ukraine, Russia and the United States.Like his other European counterparts, Merz had praise for Trump for his role in the process of angling to work out an end to the war.
Rutte told Trump his willingness to participate in security guarantees marked a “breakthrough” and “makes all the difference.”
Rutte: US Indication of Security Guarantees a ‘Big Breakthrough’
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the United States’ indication of security guarantees for Ukraine is a “big breakthrough.”Trump said his impending meeting with Zelenskyy and European leaders will include a discussion of who would play which role in providing security for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy Says Territory Exchange to Be Discussed in Trilateral
Zelenskyy told reporters that matters such as the exchange of territory—a likely element of any peace deal—will be broached in trilateral meetings among Trump, Putin, and himself..“President Trump will try to organize such a meeting,” he added.
Zelenskyy Says Security Guarantees Discussed With Trump
Zelenskyy said that he and Trump discussed security guarantees. He did not go into detail.Trump: Discussion to Include Possible Territory Exchange
Trump said his meeting with Zelenskyy and European leaders will include a discussion about "the possible exchanges of territory" between Ukraine and Russia.Trump Says Cease-fire Is ‘Preferred’ Between Russia and Ukraine
Trump said in an Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy earlier that a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine was “unnecessary.” After an hour of closed-door meeting with EU leaders and Zelenskyy, Trump then told reporters in the East Room that “all of us would obviously prefer the immediate cease-fire while we work on a lasting peace.”Trump Says He Wants to Put Russia–Ukraine War ‘to Sleep’
Trump is opening a group meeting with Zelenskyy and leaders from Europe.Trump and European Leaders Pose for Picture
The U.S. president and his guests lined up in the White House in a show of solidarity for the cameras. Macron was on his left, Zelenskyy on his right.While they were standing there, Trump gestured toward a painting that depicts him pumping his fist after surviving an assassination attempt during last year’s presidential campaign.
Zelenskyy Open to Trilateral Meeting With Trump, Putin
Zelenskyy said that he is open to a trilateral meeting that includes Trump, Putin, and himself.Trump to Call Putin After Monday Meetings
Trump said he will speak to Putin after his meetings with Zelenskyy and European leaders.He added that he had just communicated indirectly with the Russian president.
No Need for Cease-fire, Trump Says
Trump said there is no need for a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine before striking a peace deal.“I like the concept of a cease-fire for one reason, because you'd stop killing people immediately, as opposed to in two weeks or one week, or whatever it takes. But we can work a deal where we're working on a peace deal while they're fighting,” he said.
Trump Greets Zelenskyy at White House
Zelenskyy has arrived at the White House. Unlike his last visit, which resulted in a chaotic and early exit, he sported an all-black suit, though he was not wearing a tie.Trump greeted Zelenskyy at the entrance of the White House West Wing. The U.S. president was asked by a reporter to relay his message to the people of Ukraine.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni Talks to Reporters Ahead of White House Meeting
Meloni has long positioned herself as a “bridge” between the Trump administration and Europe and said the meeting is important because “finally” Russia had given a sign it is ready for dialogue.In comments to reporters in Washington, Meloni said Moscow’s openness is thanks to the “situation of stall on the battlefield” that was due both to the courage of Ukrainians to fight, but also the West’s united stand in supporting Kyiv. She said she was pleased with the proposal of security guarantees for Ukraine inspired by NATO’s Article 5.
Zelenskyy Meets With US Ukraine Adviser Kellogg
Zelenskyy met with U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg ahead of his meeting with Trump, according to a video posted on X.Zelenskyy spoke about the need for security guarantees and expressed appreciation for Trump’s invitation to the White House.