Washington D.C.- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was back at the White House on Monday for high-stakes discussions with US President Donald Trump, as Washington sought to revive momentum for ending the war in Ukraine.
The talks came just days after Trump’s summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska failed to secure a ceasefire, and this time, several European leaders joined the meeting in Washington. But by the end of the day, the optimism had yet to translate into clear steps toward peace.
A Putin-Zelensky Meeting in the Works?
The biggest headline of the day was Trump’s revelation that he had already spoken with Putin for 40 minutes to start planning a direct sit-down between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents.
Trump suggested a bilateral between Putin and Zelensky first, followed by a three-way summit including the US.
Caught on a hot mic before the multilateral talks, Trump told French President Emmanuel Macron:
“I think he wants to make a deal. I think he wants to make a deal for me. You understand that?” — appearing to reference Putin.
The Kremlin has long dismissed the idea of a face-to-face with Zelensky, even as Kyiv has insisted such a meeting would expose Moscow’s lack of seriousness about peace. On Monday night, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov struck a softer note, calling it “worthwhile” to explore raising the level of representatives in the negotiations.
Trump Backs Away From Ceasefire, Europe Pushes Back
Perhaps the starkest divide on Monday was over the question of a ceasefire.
Trump downplayed the need for one before peace talks could proceed — a sharp departure from Kyiv’s long-standing position that halting the fighting is a prerequisite to negotiations.
“I don’t know that it’s necessary,” Trump said.
But European leaders, particularly German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, disagreed.
“I can’t imagine that the next meeting would take place without a ceasefire,” Merz told reporters. “Let’s try to put pressure on Russia.”
Zelensky himself, notably, did not repeat his usual public demand for an immediate ceasefire.
Security Guarantees: Trump’s Strongest Signal Yet
For the first time, Trump sounded more decisive about US security guarantees for Ukraine. While ruling out American troops for now, he said Washington would ensure “good protection” for Kyiv, calling Europe the “first line of defense” but pledging US involvement.
He also claimed that Putin, during the Alaska summit, had accepted the principle of security guarantees as part of any peace settlement.
Zelensky later told reporters that the framework could be finalized within 10 days and would involve a $90 billion US arms package — including aviation and anti-missile systems — along with a deal for the US to buy Ukrainian drones to fund local production.
Zelensky’s Charm Offensive
After a frosty White House visit in February, Zelensky struck a markedly different tone this time.
Wearing a dark suit instead of his trademark fatigues, he opened with a string of “thank yous” to Trump and handed over a personal letter from Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska to Melania Trump.
The shift did not go unnoticed. Trump, who previously mocked Zelensky’s attire, smiled as the Ukrainian leader leaned into diplomacy.
European leaders also played to Trump’s ego. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised his leadership in bringing everyone to the table, while Italy’s Giorgia Meloni said Trump had shifted the dynamics with Moscow.
Still, French President Emmanuel Macron offered a sober reminder that any guarantees to Ukraine are also guarantees for Europe itself.
“When we talk about security guarantees, we’re also talking about the security of the European continent,” he said.
What’s Next?
The Washington talks may not have delivered breakthroughs, but they set the stage for what could be a historic Putin-Zelensky face-to-face, something unthinkable just months ago.
For now, Trump is betting that his unorthodox style — part pressure, part flattery — can bring Ukraine and Russia to the table. Whether that gamble pays off remains the question.
