President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Washington on Monday, joined by a strong delegation of European leaders, in what has become one of the most closely watched efforts to shape the next phase of the war in Ukraine.
The Oval Office encounter was notably warmer than Zelenskyy’s last visit in February, when he faced sharp criticism from Trump and Vice President JD Vance over Ukraine’s approach to U.S. military aid. This time, the leaders presented a more united front, with Zelenskyy expressing gratitude for Trump’s involvement in seeking an end to the conflict.
Trump signalled that the United States would participate in providing security guarantees for Ukraine, though he emphasised that Europe would bear primary responsibility. He stated that Washington would still “be involved,” leaving open questions on the scope of U.S. commitments. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described Trump’s willingness to discuss security assurances as a breakthrough, noting that such pledges could play a pivotal role in shaping Ukraine’s future.
At the same time, the U.S. president walked back earlier calls for a ceasefire. While acknowledging that halting hostilities would immediately save lives, he argued that neither side might find it strategically desirable. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, pushed back, insisting that a ceasefire would be an essential step before further negotiations or a proposed trilateral meeting involving Trump, Zelenskyy, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The discussions in Washington came only days after Trump’s summit with Putin in Alaska, where both sides expressed cautious optimism about reducing tensions. Reports suggest the U.S. administration is weighing a framework that would keep Ukraine out of NATO membership while offering it external security guarantees. Trump has also suggested that Kyiv could quickly end the war if it accepted concessions on contested territories like Donbass; however, Zelenskyy has publicly rejected the idea of giving up Crimea or any other occupied regions.
Following the White House talks, Trump indicated he would speak directly with Putin to discuss the outcomes. European officials warned that any settlement must balance security needs with territorial integrity, a point likely to remain a central challenge as diplomacy moves forward.
