For nearly four years, the Russia–Ukraine war has dragged on, claiming countless lives, displacing millions, and redrawing the map of European security. On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in the Oval Office of the White House — their second such meeting this year — in a bid to inject new momentum into peace efforts.
Although a breakthrough looked distant, the tone was markedly warmer than before. Zelensky, who clashed publicly with Trump during his last visit to Washington in February, described this encounter as his “best” meeting yet with the American leader.
Trump, for his part, floated a dramatic new proposal: arranging a direct face-to-face between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by a trilateral meeting involving all three leaders.
“I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting… After that, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself,” Trump said. “People are being killed, and we want to stop that. We have a good chance of doing it.”
The comments came shortly after Trump’s phone call with Putin, who, according to reports, indicated readiness to meet Zelensky. European capitals, however, remain anxious that Trump might push Kyiv into territorial concessions to Moscow, further emboldening Putin.
What Trump Said to Zelensky
On ending the war:
Trump told Zelensky, “People are being killed, and we want to stop that… Millions have been killed over these years. I believe you, me, and Vladimir Putin all want to see this ended.”
On a Putin–Zelensky meeting:
He revealed he had already spoken to Putin about arranging such talks, suggesting they could pave the way toward a broader trilateral agreement with himself as mediator.
On NATO membership:
Trump made it clear Ukraine would not be admitted into NATO under his watch. However, he expressed openness to “security guarantees” for Ukraine, coordinated largely by European nations, with Washington’s backing.
What Zelensky Said to Trump
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On security guarantees:
Zelensky said concrete details would emerge within 10 days. “Security guarantees will probably be unpacked by our partners, and more details will be formalised on paper soon,” he told reporters.He also highlighted a U.S. weapons package worth $90 billion, including aircraft and air defense systems, which he described as a “major step forward.”
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On talks with Russia:
Zelensky struck a cautious but pragmatic note, saying Ukraine was ready to meet Russia “in any format” and that territorial issues would be discussed directly between him and Putin. “The question of territories is something we will leave between me and Putin,” he said.
This meeting underscores both progress and peril. Trump appears eager to make himself the central broker of peace — a role that offers him global prestige but carries the risk of pressuring Ukraine into difficult compromises. Zelensky, meanwhile, seeks to lock in Western security guarantees before sitting across the table from Putin.
For now, the war rages on. But in Washington, there was, at least, a sense of dialogue — and perhaps the faintest hope of a way out of Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II.
( inputs from HT)
