WASHINGTON, D.C. (Independence Avenue Media) – U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and top European leaders to the White House on Tuesday, striking a markedly warmer tone than in their previous encounter and pledging to pursue what he described as a “good, maybe great” agreement with Russia. Zelenskyy, however, made clear that Ukraine’s future security must rest on firm guarantees and unity with allies.
“A lot of people are being killed and we want to stop that[…]. I believe Vladimir Putin want[s] to see it ended,” Trump said during their bilateral session, which took place before the multilateral meeting with European leaders.
Zelenskyy voiced support for a U.S.-led diplomatic effort but emphasized the urgency created by continued Russian attacks. “Today there have been a lot of attacks and wounded people[…]. We need to stop the war,” he told reporters. “We support the idea [of] President Trump to stop the war diplomatically and we’re ready for trilateral [talks]. I think it’s good.”
Ceasefire or continued fighting
The leaders confronted the question of whether peace requires an immediate halt to fighting. Trump suggested progress was possible without one, framing ceasefires as strategically risky. The Europeans, on the other hand, argued for clear pre-conditions to prevent Russia from using talks to consolidate gains.
“I don’t think you need a cease fire,” President Trump said. “Strategically you get a ceasefire and they rebuild. Would I like [one]? I like the concept of a ceasefire for one reason, because you’d stop killing people immediately […] but strategically that could be a disadvantage for one side or the other.”
Europeans insisted otherwise. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said: “We all would like to see the ceasefire, the latest from the next meeting on. I can’t imagine that the next meeting would take place without ceasefire.”
The question of guarantees
Zelenskyy stressed that “the tough one is security guarantees,” declaring U.S. backing essential. “Security in Ukraine depends on the United States and on you and on those leaders who are with us. All of us want to finish this war, stop Russia and stop this war.”
At the press conference with Zelenskyy Trump offered no specifics but promised, “We’ll give them very good protection and security, and the people waiting for us are very like-minded and want to help out also.”
For Europeans, Trump’s willingness to consider NATO-style guarantees was significant. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called it “a big step, a breakthrough and makes all the difference.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen argued such assurances must be on the table: “It’s very good to hear that we’re working on the security guarantees […].”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reminded leaders that Rome had first proposed the Article 5 model, which states that attack on one constitutes and attack on all, requiring NATO to respond collectively. French President Emmanuel Macron added that without guarantees, no peace could last, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the moment “potentially historic,” with the U.S. joining Europe in shaping a new framework for Ukraine’s security.
Yet the fundamental obstacle remains: Ukraine’s constitution forbids ceding territory, while Putin continues to press for recognition of Russian control in Donbas. Zelenskyy has rejected such proposals outright.
Arms, costs, and shifting U.S. posture
Trump reiterated that his administration has shifted to a pay-for-weapons model. “We’re not giving anything. We’re selling weapons. The number is well over $300 billion under Joe Biden … but they pay us for the equipment,” he said, citing systems such as the Patriot missile defense.
Zelenskyy confirmed the arrangement: “We have bought weapon from the United States and [are] thankful [to] Europe for paying for this.”
The move reframes U.S. support – away from open-ended aid toward a transactional partnership that may reassure domestic audiences but complicates Kyiv’s long-term planning.
Humanitarian urgency
Both Trump and Zelenskyy and the European leaders raised the plight of Ukrainian children taken to Russia. “I was very thankful to your wife again, Mr. President, for hearing about our abducted children,” Zelenskyy said. “So security guarantees, bringing kids back … we need them back.”
Von der Leyen said their return should be “one of our main priorities.” Trump added that the First Lady’s appeal to Putin had been “very well received.”
Events on the ground underscored the stakes: a Russian drone strike in Kharkiv this week killed several civilians, including a child. Such attacks sharpened the contrast between White House optimism and the ongoing cost of delay.
Talk of a trilateral
Trump said he planned to call Putin after the meeting. “We may or may not have a trilat and if we don’t the fighting continues and if we do, there’s a good chance of ending it … he’s expecting my call when we’re finished with this meeting.”
Zelenskyy welcomed the idea. “All the sensitive things, territorial and et cetera, we will discuss [at] the trilateral meeting and President Trump will try to organize such meeting … Ukraine will be happy if –” before Trump interjected, “If you want me to be there I will be there.”
But here again, the risk is clear: without stronger conditions, Russia could use talks to prolong the war while demanding concessions Ukraine has said it cannot accept.
The Alaska backdrop
Trump invoked his Alaska summit with Putin. “The Alaskan summit increased my belief that in a very significant step President Putin agreed that Russia would accept security guarantees for Ukraine,” he said.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb cited his own country’s history: “We might come from a small country but [we] have a long border with Russia … we found a solution in 1944 and I am sure that we will be able to find a solution in 2025 too.”
Yet behind the rhetoric, U.S. officials have downplayed further sanctions against Russia—a shift that could dilute Western leverage just as diplomatic momentum builds.
A fragile turning point
Trump ended on an upbeat note: “We’re going to save thousands and thousands of lives a week and so it’s something we really have to do. I think we may have a good outcome.”
Zelenskyy echoed the optimism: “We had constructive, specific meeting … we’re happy that we have such big unity today. Thank you Mr. President for hosting us.”
The meeting marked a clear change in tone—far removed from the confrontations of earlier this year. But tone alone cannot bridge the gaps: Europe wants a ceasefire, Trump prefers flexibility, Russia seeks concessions, and Ukraine insists on sovereignty. The White House gathering may go down as a turning point. Whether it marks the start of peace—or simply a pause before the next escalation—remains to be seen.
