President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy struck a cordial tone Monday in the Oval Office, a sharp contrast to Zelenskyy’s last visit, as the U.S. pushes for an end to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Zelenskyy arrived in Washington alongside a rare delegation of top European leaders just days after Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
In February, Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House was marked by tense exchanges with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who accused him of being ungrateful for U.S. military aid. But on Monday, the two leaders smiled for cameras, with Zelenskyy thanking Trump for his “personal efforts” to help bring the conflict to a close.
Afterward, Trump and Zelenskyy joined NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb for talks in the East Room.
Trump Promises “Very Good Protection”
Trump said the U.S. would participate in security guarantees for Ukraine but left the details vague.
“We’re going to be discussing it today, but we will give them very good protection, very good security,” Trump said.
He added that Russia would accept such guarantees, but insisted European allies must carry most of the burden. “They are first line of defense because they’re there,” he said. “But we’re going to help them. And also we’ll be involved.”
Special envoy Steve Witkoff told CNN that Russia had agreed to “Article 5-like” protections, referring to NATO’s collective defense clause, though Trump stopped short of confirming that.
Ceasefire Question Divides Leaders
Trump appeared to soften his earlier demand for a ceasefire.
“I don’t think you need a ceasefire,” he said in the Oval Office. “I know that it might be good to have, but I can also understand strategically, like, well, you know, one country or the other wouldn’t want it.”
Still, he added: “I like the concept of a ceasefire for one reason, because you’d stop killing people immediately.”
European leaders, however, pressed Trump on the issue. “The next steps ahead are the more complicated ones now … To be honest, we all would like to see a ceasefire,” Merz said, adding he could not envision a trilateral meeting without one.
Trilateral Talks on the Table
Trump reiterated his push for a three-way meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy said Ukraine is “ready” to join such talks.
“I think it’s going to be when, not if,” Trump said.
Rutte praised Trump’s commitment to security guarantees, calling it “a breakthrough.” Macron and Merz, however, insisted progress would require an immediate halt to fighting.
Next Steps
Trump said he planned to call Putin after Monday’s meetings.
“We’re going to have a phone call right after these meetings today, and we may or may not have a trilat,” he said. “If we don’t have a trilat, then the fighting continues. And if we do, we have a good chance … of maybe ending it.”
He added: “But he’s expecting my call when we’re finished with this meeting.”
