Kiev, Ukraine (AP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced he will be meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, right after the US-Russia summit ended, which did not bring any halt to the fighting in Ukraine over the past three and a half years.
After a discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump stated that reaching an overall peace deal, rather than a mere ceasefire, is the most effective way to conclude the conflict. This aligns with Putin’s stance that Russia is not interested in a temporary ceasefire but is looking for a long-term arrangement that acknowledges Moscow’s interests.
Before the negotiations, both Trump and Ukraine’s European allies had hoped for a ceasefire.
Zelensky, who was not included in the Alaska summit discussions, mentioned that he had a meaningful conversation with Trump early Saturday. He expressed his gratitude for the upcoming face-to-face meeting and indicated that they would address all aspects concerning the conflict and efforts to end it.
This visit marks Zelensky’s first trip to the United States following Trump’s earlier criticism of him for being “disrespectful” during their unique meeting in February.
Trump, during calls with European leaders on Saturday, confirmed the White House meeting and mentioned that, “If everything goes well, we’ll plan a meeting with Putin.”
On Friday, Trump welcomed Putin, who was visiting the US for the first time in ten years since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, he disclosed very few specifics about their discussions, later suggesting on social media that the talks “went really well.”
Had Putin refused to negotiate a resolution to the war, Trump had warned of “very harsh consequences” for Russia prior to the summit.
Zelensky reiterated the need to include European leaders who were absent from the meeting. He stressed that “it’s crucial that Europeans are engaged at all stages to ensure reliable security assurances from the US.” He also mentioned positive discussions regarding US involvement in ensuring Ukraine’s safety.
While he didn’t provide specifics, Zelensky had previously indicated that his European allies supported the idea of establishing a foreign military presence in Ukraine in light of the insufficient US backing against future Russian aggression.
Zelensky mentioned that his one-on-one dialogue with Trump, along with subsequent discussions with European leaders, lasted over 90 minutes.
In Alaska, Trump had remarked, “no trades until there is a deal,” indicating that the two leaders had developed a mutual understanding concerning Ukraine and cautioning Europe that “early progress should not be compromised.”
Before heading back to Washington, Trump stated in an interview with Fox News that he believed Zelensky could “get it done,” although he acknowledged the need for support from European nations.
After speaking with Trump, key European leaders expressed readiness to align with the efforts of Trump and Zelensky toward a “Europe-backed Trilateral Summit.”
Leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and two senior EU officials asserted that, “Ukraine must receive a strong security guarantee.” They emphasized that “it’s up to Ukraine to determine its territorial integrity” and avoided mentioning any ceasefire.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s head of foreign policy, remarked, “The harsh reality is that Russia does not plan to end this war anytime soon.” She noted that Putin continues to prolong negotiations with hopes of avoiding accountability for the conflict.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala confirmed that while the US and its allies seek a path to peace, “Putin is primarily focused on maximizing territory gains and reinstating a Soviet influence.”
Clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces continue along a 1,000-kilometer frontline, with Russian troops ramping up their territorial capture since spring.
Neil Melvin, from the Royal United Services Institute, said, “Putin approached the Alaska summit hoping to pressure Russia into resolving the war, and he likely considers the outcome a success.”
Zelensky has shown support for Trump’s proposal for a trilateral meeting involving the US and Russia. He stated that critical issues could be addressed at the levels of leadership, suggesting a trilateral format would be appropriate for discussions.
However, Putin’s foreign advisor, Yuri Ushakov, mentioned on Russian state television that the subject of a meeting among Trump, Putin, and Zelensky had not been discussed yet.
Zelensky conveyed to Trump that should plans for a trilateral meeting fail or Russia resist a genuine resolution to the war, sanctions should be intensified.
Some interpretations in Russian media have framed the recent meeting as a significant turning point in Putin’s isolation from the West.
Dmitry Medvedev, former President and now deputy director of the Russian Security Council, praised the summit, describing it as a significant step in restoring high-level dialogue between Moscow and Washington, while noting it was conducted calmly without ultimatums.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported an overnight attack on Ukraine, thwarting one ballistic missile and 85 Shahed drones, targeting regions like Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Chernihiv.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down 29 Ukrainian drones overnight in Russia and over the Azov Sea.
