Trump-Zelenskyy Live Updates: Trump Reveals Putin-Meeting Plans

High-Stakes Diplomacy at the White House

President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House for a significant meeting as the U.S. president pushed for a deal to end Moscow's war on its neighbor. A number of European leaders joined the discussions, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in resolving the ongoing conflict.

This day of meetings followed Trump’s recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and came about six months after an explosive Oval Office meeting between Zelenskyy, Trump, and Vice President JD Vance. The current round of talks has been marked by a series of developments that suggest potential progress in the diplomatic efforts to find a resolution.

No Date Set for Trilateral Meeting

Following his day in Washington, D.C., a reporter asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy if a date had been set for the trilateral meeting. Zelenskyy responded that no date had been established yet. He emphasized that while the United States supported a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia, it would require agreement from all sides before it could take place.

Possible Meeting Between Putin and Zelenskyy

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who attended Monday's talks at the White House, suggested that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could happen within the next two weeks. However, the location of the meeting has not yet been decided. Merz expressed hope that Putin would have the courage to attend such a summit, stating that persuasion would be necessary.

Merz also mentioned that his expectations for the White House talks were exceeded, indicating that the discussions had yielded positive outcomes.

Potential Progress Marked by a Meeting

After meeting with European leaders and Zelenskyy at the White House, Trump held a call with Putin and indicated he had made progress toward one of his major goals: orchestrating a three-way meeting between Putin, Zelenskyy, and himself. Trump announced on social media that he had begun arrangements for a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, with the possibility of a trilateral meeting afterward.

The Kremlin issued its own readout of the call, stating that both Trump and Putin supported the continuation of direct negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations. While the idea of increasing the level of representatives from both sides was discussed, there was no mention of a one-on-one meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy.

Security Guarantees and NATO Concerns

During the discussions, security guarantees for Ukraine emerged as a key topic. European leaders stressed the importance of ensuring that Ukraine is protected from future aggression. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni highlighted the need for security guarantees as a precondition for peace. French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for collective action.

However, Russia ruled out any NATO security guarantees for Ukraine, with Maria Zakharova, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, stating that scenarios involving a NATO military contingent in Ukraine are unacceptable and could lead to an uncontrolled escalation of the conflict.

Optimism for Peace

Finnish President Alexander Stubb expressed optimism during the meeting, stating that more progress had been made in the past two weeks than in the previous 3.5 years. He emphasized the symbolic significance of the gathering, which brought together team Europe and the United States to support Ukraine.

Trump also expressed confidence that within a week or two, they would know whether the conflict could be resolved. He acknowledged the challenges but remained committed to finding a solution.

Emphasis on Ceasefire

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the desire for a ceasefire during his remarks, calling on leaders to work towards obtaining one. He stated that the credibility of their efforts depends on at least a ceasefire from the beginning of serious negotiations.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed optimism about ending the war, calling Trump’s willingness to participate in security guarantees a breakthrough that could make a significant difference.

These developments underscore the complexity of the situation and the high stakes involved in achieving a lasting peace. As the discussions continue, the world watches closely to see if the momentum can be maintained and if meaningful progress can be made.