During his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, former U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war, either its continuation or the establishment of peace, could be determined within a timeframe of one to two weeks. Trump stated that this meeting would be followed by another, after which a decision would be made. He prioritized saving lives and expressed hope for positive outcomes from the discussions.
Trump noted that he had communicated with Russian President Vladimir Putin indirectly and would hold a follow-up conversation after the meeting. He also expressed his intention to try and arrange a trilateral meeting. He acknowledged that these talks might not occur, which could indicate the war’s persistence, while their happening could significantly increase the likelihood of its end.
Trump emphasized his desire to end the war and revealed discussions about a long-term peace agreement, echoing the European desire for peace. He also stated that even if the meeting didn’t succeed, the U.S. would continue its support for Ukraine.
Trump asserted that a peace treaty was more important than a ceasefire, which he viewed as a temporary fix. He attributed the war’s start to former President Joe Biden, stating that it would not have begun under his leadership.
Trump affirmed the U.S.’s commitment to providing security for Ukraine. He acknowledged Putin’s opposition to Ukraine joining NATO, a matter yet to be discussed in detail. He added that the U.S. would supply weapons to NATO, enabling the organization to provide them to Ukraine, and that the U.S. would support efforts in the European conflict.
Zelensky described the meeting as highly productive, suggesting that future discussions could be even more beneficial. He conveyed Ukraine’s willingness to participate in a trilateral meeting with Trump and the importance of continued discussions regarding security guarantees. He underscored the significance of a strong message from the U.S. and Russia’s readiness for security guarantees.
European leaders offered various perspectives. Germany stressed the need to increase pressure on Russia and suggested a ceasefire before the next meeting, anticipating a more challenging next phase. France expressed concerns about the threats to European security and proposed including a European leader in any discussions with Putin. The UK highlighted the necessity of security guarantees for Europe and the importance of creating an environment conducive to trilateral talks. Italy emphasized the significance of security guarantees for Ukraine, suggesting measures similar to Article 5. Finland advocated for trilateral talks, citing their experience with both war and reconciliation with Russia. Ursula von der Leyen urged Russia to halt the killings, with the EU prioritizing Ukraine’s security and the release of prisoners of war.
The meeting between Zelensky and Trump also included numerous European leaders at the White House, including 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.