- At the White House on Monday, Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy said successful talks with European leaders could open the door to trilateral discussions with Vladimir Putin to end the war.
- Central debate: what “NATO-like” security guarantees Ukraine needs for any durable peace; Trump said the U.S. would support a European-led security presence, while avoiding a clear pledge of U.S. troops.
- Disputed issues include Crimea and parts of the Donbas; Kyiv continues to stress lasting security and sovereignty alongside military support, training, and weapons sales.
The Big Picture
Amid a rapid round of diplomacy, Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled that Monday’s meetings at the White House — including a later session with European leaders — could lead to three-way talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to try to end the war.Associated Press reported the leaders’ openness to such a path and the focus on security guarantees for Ukraine in any settlement.
What’s New
- Security framework on the table: Trump referenced a possible “NATO-like” presence to protect Ukraine, saying the U.S. would back a European plan and help “work out the details” with allied leaders later Monday.
- Contours of a deal: Trump has shifted from pushing a ceasefire to advocating a broader peace agreement. Kyiv, for its part, outlined two pillars for safety: a strong Ukrainian military through sustained sales and training, and formal guarantees by the U.S., EU countries, and NATO members.
- Contentious points: Trump suggested over the weekend that Ukraine would not regain Crimea and that Russia seeks control over parts of Donetsk and Luhansk. Ukraine continues to emphasize that any settlement must deliver lasting protection and preserve its democratic choices.
What They’re Saying
Context
Monday’s talks follow Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska. The discussion now centers on whether allies can build a collective defense arrangement for Ukraine short of formal NATO membership — a concept Trump’s envoy has said Moscow might accept if framed as European-led with U.S. backing. Kyiv, meanwhile, points to Crimea’s 2014 annexation and the 2022 full-scale invasion as reasons any accord must be enforceable, with clear guarantees and sustained military capacity.
Inside the Oval Office, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined the public portion without remarks, while Zelenskyy and Trump answered questions. Trump also said he intended to speak with Putin after the day’s meetings concluded.
What’s Next
Trump and Zelenskyy were set to meet later with visiting European leaders to wrestle over the details of a potential security architecture — who joins, what triggers a response, and how it is enforced. Trump stopped short of promising U.S. troop deployments, saying those decisions would emerge from the allied session.
The Bottom Line
Both sides say they want a fast path to peace, but the distance between “NATO-like” protection and a signed, enforceable treaty — especially with disputes over territory and elections — remains significant. Monday’s allied consultations will indicate whether a full framework is within reach or still many negotiations away.
( With inputs from AP and White House reporting outlets on the Trump–Zelenskyy meeting )
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