Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that he and President Donald Trump discussed security guarantees for his country in their latest talks at the White House while sounding a positive note on the meeting overall.
Zelenskyy described the conversation as “good” and stressed the importance of U.S. support.
“The first one is security guarantees. And we are very happy with President [Trump], that all the leaders are here, and security in Ukraine depends on the United States and European countries,” he said, as reported by Fox News. “We will speak more about security guarantees. This is very important that United States gives such [a] strong signal, and is ready for security guarantees.”
He did not elaborate on the specific form those guarantees might take.
Trump said European nations must carry most of the burden of securing Ukraine, but emphasized that the United States would also play a role. He added that potential exchanges of territory would need to be part of negotiations.
“We’re going to help them, and we’re going to make it very secure,” Trump said. “We also need to discuss the possible exchanges of territory, taking into consideration the current line of contact. That means the war zone, the war line center.”
But the Russian Foreign Ministry swiftly rejected any plan that would involve NATO peacekeepers in Ukraine, calling it a dangerous escalation.
“We confirm the position that has been voiced more than once about our categorical rejection of any scenarios involving the appearance of Ukraine military contingent with the participation of NATO countries (which is fraught with an uncontrolled escalation of the conflict with unpredictable consequences),” the ministry said in a statement carried by state news agency Ria.
Despite Moscow’s objections, Trump floated the idea of a European-led peacekeeping force to prevent future Russian incursions. Asked if the U.S. would commit troops, Trump responded: “[Europe is] first line of defense, because they’re there, they’re Europe, but we’re going to help them out also, we’ll be involved.”
Later in the day, Trump spoke again with Russian President Vladimir Putin to begin arranging a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, which he said would take place within two weeks.
The development was first reported by Agence France-Presse, citing German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
“The American president spoke with the Russian president and agreed that there would be a meeting between the Russian president and the Ukrainian president within the next two weeks,” Merz told reporters after the White House talks.
Zelenskyy also confirmed he was ready to meet with Putin to try to end the war.
On Truth Social, Trump announced he had called Putin following the White House meetings with Zelenskyy and European leaders.
“After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself,” Trump wrote. “Again, this was a very good, early step for a war that has been going on for almost four years. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, are coordinating with Russia and Ukraine. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Earlier, Trump was overheard telling French President Emmanuel Macron that Putin appeared willing to cut a deal.
“I think [Putin] wants to make a deal,” Trump whispered in the East Room. “I think he wants to make a deal for me, you understand that? As crazy as it sounds.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte later praised Trump’s efforts and said the American president had broken a stalemate that no one else could.
“Without President Trump, this deadlock with Putin would not have been broken,” Rutte said during an appearance on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle. “He was the only one who could do this, starting in February.”
Rutte also defended Trump’s longstanding criticism of NATO members over defense spending. He said Trump’s pressure campaign led all 32 members to commit to spending 5 percent of GDP on defense, including 3.5 percent on core military needs — a level that finally matches U.S. contributions.
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Author: Carmine Sabia
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