Leader of the Free World Hosts Summit with European Leaders at the White House

European Leaders Commend Trump for Role in Ukraine-Russia Peace Efforts

WASHINGTON – On Monday, European leaders expressed their appreciation for President Donald Trump’s involvement in the ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. This came following a peace conference that included Ukrainian President Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Among those attending the multilateral meeting in the East Room were European Union President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Executive Director Mark Latte, British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Zelensky spoke highly of his bilateral talks with Trump prior to the larger gathering.

“I think we had a very productive conversation,” Zelensky noted, describing it as quite positive.

Latte acknowledged Trump’s role in initiating communication with Putin, which, he suggested, set the stage for the current discussions. “I really want to thank President Putin and dear Donald for essentially breaking the deadlock by starting a dialogue,” he remarked.

He continued, “You made the first call back in February, and now we’re here… If you handle this correctly, you could bring about an end to it. We need to halt the violence and the destruction of Ukrainian infrastructure.”

German Prime Minister Friedrich Maatz also lauded Trump, indicating that his actions have significantly contributed to the peace process. “This meeting in Washington is quite significant,” he said, adding that future negotiations may prove more complex.

Last month, Ursula von der Leyen, who had previously criticized the largest trade deal initiated under Trump, emphasized the importance of collaboration for peace in Ukraine.

Meloni, complementing Latte’s sentiments, mentioned that the negotiations were evolving and suggested that Trump’s involvement was shifting the dynamics. “This is an important day. We’ve reached a new phase after three and a half years, and it seems something has changed,” she commented.

Priority praised Trump’s initiative to arrange a trilateral meeting involving the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine, calling it a prudent next step towards ensuring security and addressing challenging issues.

Macron added his thoughts, stressing the collective desire for peace among the leaders present. “Everyone at this table is committed to peace, and we’ve been striving tirelessly for a lasting resolution,” he stated.

After the roundtable conclave in the East Room, Trump and the leaders transitioned to the Oval Office. By the day’s end, Trump had reportedly spoken with Putin, informing that he was initiating plans for a meeting with Zelensky and Putin.