President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House to revive stalled peace efforts for Russia’s war in Ukraine. The talks focused on security guarantees, ceasefire possibilities, and preparations for direct negotiations between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Trump positioning the U.S. as a key mediator.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined leaders from Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Finland, and NATO for critical discussions with President Trump. The meeting marked a significant shift from their tense February encounter, with Zelenskyy adopting formal attire and expressing gratitude for U.S. support. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also participated, creating a united Western front.
The central outcome involved U.S. support for European-led security guarantees to protect Ukraine post-conflict. While Trump ruled out NATO membership, he pledged American backing for ‘NATO-style protections’ – a position Russian officials reportedly find acceptable. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that ‘the whole of Europe should participate’ in any future security force, with technical discussions scheduled to begin immediately.
Zelenskyy and Trump displayed notably improved rapport, with the Ukrainian leader thanking Melania Trump for humanitarian efforts. This contrasted sharply with February’s friction, when Vice President JD Vance had accused Zelenskyy of ingratitude. The Ukrainian president’s strategic shift to formal dress and diplomatic language reflected careful preparation for the high-stakes negotiations.
Critical disagreements remain unresolved, particularly regarding territorial concessions and ceasefire terms. Merz compared Russian demands for Ukraine’s Donbas region to ‘the U.S. giving up Florida,’ while Macron stressed that security talks must address ‘the whole security of the European continent.’ Trump acknowledged the conflict’s complexity exceeds his initial assessment, though he optimistically predicted resolution within ‘a week or two.’
The meeting set the stage for direct Zelenskyy-Putin negotiations, which Trump has offered to mediate. While no date was confirmed, Zelenskyy stated such talks require ‘agreement of all sides.’ Macron proposed expanding future summits to include European leaders alongside the U.S.-Russia-Ukraine format, calling it ‘the only way to fix it.’
Immediate next steps include European technical teams arriving in Washington to formalize security guarantees, while Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff coordinates with Moscow. The success of these efforts hinges on bridging gaps between Ukraine’s insistence on territorial integrity and Russia’s demands, with European leaders cautioning that the most challenging negotiations lie ahead.