President Trump Hosts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and European Leaders at White House to Discuss Ending War with Russia

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed optimism that their high-stakes meeting at the White House on Monday could pave the way for three-way negotiations involving Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.

The talks, which included top European leaders, focused on potential security guarantees for Ukraine, with President Trump indicating U.S. support for a "NATO-like" arrangement—though he stopped short of committing American troops.

“They want protection, and they feel very strongly about it. We’ll help them out with that,” Trump said. “I think it’s very important to get the deal done.”

A Shift in Tone from Previous Meetings

The meeting marked a notable contrast from Trump and Zelenskyy’s last Oval Office encounter in February, which ended abruptly after Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Ukraine for insufficient gratitude over U.S. military aid.

This time, Zelenskyy arrived in formal attire—a departure from his usual wartime casual wear—and presented a letter from his wife, Olena Zelenska, to First Lady Melania Trump, who had previously urged Putin to end the conflict.

Trump Presses Zelenskyy on Elections and Peace Talks

At one point, Trump questioned Ukraine’s decision to postpone elections due to martial law, joking that such a move would be heavily criticized in the U.S.

He also reiterated his stance that Ukraine must make concessions to reach a peace deal, suggesting that Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, may not be recoverable.

“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately if he wants to, or he can continue to fight,” Trump wrote on social media ahead of the meeting.

Zelenskyy, however, emphasized that any peace must be lasting, not a temporary pause that allows Russia to regroup.

European Leaders Rally Behind Ukraine

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and other key leaders joined the discussions, aiming to ensure Ukraine’s security in any potential agreement.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating, “We have to explore all possible solutions to guarantee peace, justice, and security for our countries.”

Path Forward: Will Trilateral Talks Happen?

Trump floated the possibility of three-way negotiations involving himself, Zelenskyy, and Putin.

“If everything works out today, we’ll have a trilat,” Trump said. “We’re going to work with Russia, we’re going to work with Ukraine.”

Zelenskyy appeared open to the idea, stating, “We are ready for trilateral [talks], as the president said.”

As discussions continue, the world watches to see whether this diplomatic push can bring an end to Europe’s deadliest conflict in decades.