President Donald Trump has announced plans to arrange a face-to-face meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The announcement followed a phone call with Putin on Monday, during which Trump hosted Zelenskyy and key European leaders to discuss strategies to halt the nearly four-year conflict.
In a social media post, Trump revealed, “I spoke with President Putin and initiated arrangements for a meeting with President Zelenskyy at a yet-to-be-determined location. Following that, we’ll have a trilateral meeting with the two presidents and myself. This is a strong first step toward ending a war that’s dragged on too long.”
While Putin has not publicly confirmed his participation, Russia’s state news agency Tass reported that Putin’s adviser, Yuri Ushakov, expressed support for continued direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations, hinting at elevating the level of negotiations.
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Zelenskyy, speaking after the White House discussions, emphasized flexibility, stating, “If Russia shows no willingness to meet, we’ll ask the U.S. to respond appropriately.” He stressed the importance of unconditional talks to explore paths to peace, a shift from his earlier insistence on a Russian ceasefire as a precondition.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who joined the talks, warned on Fox News that if Russia refuses to engage, the U.S. and Europe would intensify sanctions and tariffs on Moscow.
A Shift in Trump’s Approach
Trump’s push for direct talks marks a departure from his earlier comments, which leaned toward supporting Putin’s demands for Ukraine to cede territory—roughly one-fifth of which Russia currently controls. During Monday’s discussions, Trump suggested that territorial disputes and a potential ceasefire should be resolved directly by Putin and Zelenskyy.
“We’re setting the stage for the presidents to meet and work it out,” Trump said, signaling a more neutral stance.
Trump also voiced support for European-led security guarantees for Ukraine but stopped short of committing U.S. troops. “It’ll be a NATO-like presence, and we’ll work with EU leaders to finalize the details,” he said, highlighting Europe’s role in bolstering Ukraine’s security.
Zelenskyy underscored the need for robust U.S. involvement, stating, “America’s clear commitment to coordinating and participating in Ukraine’s security guarantees is vital.”
Russia’s Foreign Ministry, however, rejected the notion of a NATO peacekeeping force in Ukraine, with spokesperson Maria Zakharova warning of “unpredictable consequences” and potential escalation.
A Tense History
Monday’s meeting contrasted sharply with Trump’s February encounter with Zelenskyy, which ended abruptly after tensions over Zelenskyy’s perceived lack of gratitude for U.S. aid. This time, Zelenskyy arrived in a formal suit, moving away from his wartime casual attire, and presented a letter from his wife, Olena Zelenska, to Melania Trump, echoing a gesture from Trump’s recent summit in Alaska, where he delivered a letter from Melania urging Putin to consider the war’s impact on children.
European leaders, including those from France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Finland, and the European Commission, attended the talks, aiming to safeguard Ukraine and curb Russian aggression. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for a ceasefire at the next meeting, while Trump maintained that a lasting peace agreement is “very attainable” but suggested an immediate ceasefire as a preliminary step.
European Concerns and Zelenskyy’s Stance
European leaders expressed cautious optimism but urged Trump to press Russia for a ceasefire. Zelenskyy, in a Sunday post, emphasized that peace must be durable, warning against temporary solutions like the 2014 annexation of Crimea, which he said Putin used as a “springboard” for further aggression.
Trump predicted progress within weeks, stating, “In a week or two, we’ll know if we can resolve this or if the fighting continues.”
As global attention turns to the potential Putin-Zelenskyy meeting, the world watches to see if Trump’s diplomatic gamble can bring an end to one of the deadliest conflicts in recent history.
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