Trump Greets Zelensky, Expresses Optimism for Ukraine-Russia Peace Deal

US President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House on Monday, signalling fresh hope for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. The high-stakes meeting is the first since a tense Oval Office exchange between the two leaders in February, and follows Trump’s recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Despite apparent differences over concessions that Trump has urged Ukraine to make, the US President expressed optimism.

“I think if everything works out well today we’ll have a trilat, and I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that,” Trump said, referring to a potential three-way meeting with Zelensky and Putin later on Monday.

Trump also confirmed he would be speaking with Putin by telephone that day.

Zelensky, arriving alongside top European leaders, thanked Trump personally for his efforts to halt the conflict: “Thank you very much for your efforts, personal efforts to stop killings and stop this war,” he said.

European support was prominently displayed, with leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, the European Commission, and NATO present at the White House. Meanwhile, Trump pressed Kyiv to consider giving up Crimea and abandoning its aspiration to join NATO.

The meeting’s tone was markedly calmer than the February Oval Office encounter, when Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly criticised Zelensky for not appearing sufficiently “grateful” for US support.

Trump even complimented Zelensky on his black jacket, deflecting previous right-wing media criticism over his choice of attire: “I love it,” Trump said, pointing to Zelensky’s outfit as they shook hands.

However, the light-hearted greeting belied ongoing concerns in Kyiv and among European capitals that Trump might be leaning toward Putin’s positions following the Alaska summit.

Zelensky emphasised the need for Western security guarantees to underpin any peace deal, and Trump assured that the United States would be “involved” in Ukraine’s future security. He did not confirm whether US troops might participate in such guarantees, but hinted that clarity might come later in the day.

Air raid sirens sounded over Kyiv as European leaders arrived at the White House. Overnight Russian strikes reportedly killed at least seven people.

Earlier on Monday, European leaders held preparatory talks with Zelensky in Washington, while he also met with Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg.

Zelensky described the White House discussions as “very serious” and praised Trump’s approach: “President Trump has that strength. We have to do everything right to make peace happen.”

He called on social media for a “reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe,” emphasising the importance of Western security guarantees.

Reports indicate that Putin may consider Western security guarantees for Ukraine in a peace settlement but continues to reject Kyiv’s long-term NATO membership ambitions.

Trump has alarmed Kyiv and European capitals in recent days by echoing certain Russian positions. On Sunday, he stated that Zelensky could end the war “almost immediately, if he wants to,” but insisted that Ukraine could not reclaim Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, nor pursue NATO membership: “No getting back Crimea. NO GOING INTO NATO,” Trump emphasised.

On Monday, he reiterated that he does not believe a ceasefire is necessary to negotiate an end to the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The visit reflects a delicate balancing act, as the White House hosts high-level talks aiming to resolve the conflict while navigating long-standing tensions and strategic differences among the US, Ukraine, Russia, and European partners.