U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House on Monday, signaling renewed optimism for a potential peace agreement to end Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
The high-stakes talks come just days after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, and mark the first face-to-face meeting between Trump and Zelensky since a tense Oval Office encounter in February. Despite lingering tensions and disagreements—particularly over Trump’s calls for Kyiv to concede Crimea and halt its NATO ambitions—the U.S. president said there is a “good chance” of achieving a deal.
“If everything works out today, we’ll have a trilateral meeting [with Putin and Zelensky],” Trump said during a brief media appearance alongside the Ukrainian leader. “And I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that.”
Zelensky, who arrived in Washington backed by key European leaders, thanked Trump for his personal efforts. “Thank you very much for your efforts, personal efforts to stop killings and stop this war,” he said.
A Coalition of Support—and Pressure
Joining the talks in Washington were leaders from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, the European Commission, and NATO—countries calling themselves the “coalition of the willing.” Their presence was aimed at reinforcing international support for Ukraine and pressuring Russia to halt its military campaign, which began with a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The meeting came against the backdrop of fresh Russian airstrikes overnight, which reportedly killed at least seven civilians in Ukraine. Air raid sirens were heard in Kyiv as the European delegation arrived in Washington.
Shift in Tone After Months of Tension
The mood at Monday’s meeting stood in sharp contrast to the frosty exchange earlier this year when Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly chastised Zelensky for what they claimed was a lack of gratitude for U.S. support.
This time, Trump praised Zelensky's appearance—still clad in his signature military-style jacket—and struck a notably more conciliatory tone. “I love it,” Trump said, pointing to the outfit as they shook hands outside the West Wing.
Still, substantive disagreements remain. Trump reiterated that Ukraine’s ambitions to join NATO are “off the table,” and that Kyiv should not expect to regain Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. He also continued to reject calls for a ceasefire as a precondition for negotiations.
Security Guarantees and Strategic Calculations
Zelensky has made it clear that any peace deal must include strong Western-backed security guarantees for Ukraine. Trump confirmed that the U.S. would be “involved” in ensuring Ukraine’s future security, though he declined to detail what role—if any—American troops might play.
“Maybe we’ll let you know that later today,” he told reporters.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, were both present at the meetings. Zelensky described the discussions as “very serious,” while also attempting to appeal to Trump’s rhetoric by invoking the phrase “peace through strength.”
“President Trump has that strength,” he said. “We have to do everything right to make peace happen.”
On social media, Zelensky reiterated his call for “a reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe.”
Putin Awaits Next Steps
While speculation grows over the possibility of a trilateral meeting involving Trump, Zelensky, and Putin, Moscow has reportedly signaled openness to Western security guarantees for Ukraine—provided Kyiv abandons its NATO ambitions.
However, Putin remains firm in rejecting any return of Crimea or reversal of gains made since the 2022 invasion.
As world leaders gather in Washington, the diplomatic path forward remains fraught with compromise. Yet, Monday’s meeting has raised hopes that dialogue—however uneasy—could be inching closer to ending Europe’s deadliest conflict in decades.
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