Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Trump meet within the Oval Workplace on Monday for talks on bringing an finish to the warfare between Russia and Ukraine. A number of European leaders are becoming a member of Zelenskyy, as they attempt to discover a strategy to finish Russia’s offensive.
Mandel Ngan/AFP through Getty Photos
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Mandel Ngan/AFP through Getty Photos
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump says preparations are underway for a gathering between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, an announcement that got here after a day of high-stakes talks on the White Home between Trump, Zelenskyy and a delegation of Europe’s high leaders.
Trump made the announcement in a submit on social media Monday, saying he had spoken with Putin and “started the preparations for a gathering, at a location to be decided.”
Trump mentioned he would meet with the 2 leaders afterward, however didn’t present particulars on when the talks would happen.
“This was an excellent, early step for a warfare that has been occurring for nearly 4 years,” Trump posted.
The announcement adopted a number of hours of talks between Trump, Zelenskyy and leaders from 5 European nations, the president of the European Fee and the secretary basic of NATO. Hours earlier, he mentioned that if Ukraine and Russia can meet for trilateral talks with the U.S., there is a “cheap probability” of ending the warfare.
“We’ll work with everyone, and we will ensure that if there’s peace, the peace goes to remain a very long time,” Trump mentioned.
Safety ensures have been a key focus of talks
A key concern heading into the day was what sort of safety ensures Ukraine may safe from Western allies to stop Russia from invading once more.
“There will be lots of assist with regards to safety,” Trump mentioned, noting that the U.S. would help by promoting weapons to Ukraine and different allies in Europe, reasonably than present direct support.
However Trump sidestepped questions from reporters when pressed on whether or not U.S. troops could be concerned in safety agreements.
European international locations could be the “first line of protection” in sustaining peace within the area, he mentioned, earlier than including that the U.S. would “assist them out.”
The talks adopted final week’s summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, negotiations that concluded with the 2 leaders touting progress regardless of any tangible breakthroughs.
For Zelenskyy, Monday’s assembly marked his first journey again to the Oval Workplace since a contentious assembly in February, when the Ukrainian chief was lectured by Trump and Vice President JD Vance earlier than abruptly leaving the White Home. The leaders have met and talked a number of occasions since then — together with on the Vatican.
The tone was markedly totally different on Monday, as Zelenskyy generously thanked Trump forward of a wider assembly between the 2 leaders and high European officers.
“Thanks very a lot to your efforts, private efforts, to cease killings and cease this warfare,” Zelenskyy mentioned.
Trump mentioned he would converse with Putin over the telephone after assembly with Zelenskyy, who agreed to the potential trilateral assembly.
Trump mentioned it was an honor to host Zelenskyy and that “substantial progress” was being made on efforts to finish the warfare.
Key European leaders attended with Zelenskyy
Monday’s talks featured an unusually lengthy record of European leaders, in what was seen as a united entrance to stop Trump from pressuring Zelenskyy into an unfair settlement to finish the warfare with Russia.
Becoming a member of the Ukrainian chief was British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Fee President Ursula Von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary Basic Mark Rutte, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the president of Finland, Alexander Stubb.
President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pose for an image with European leaders following a gathering within the Oval Workplace on the White Home on Monday. From Left are British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Zelensky, President Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and NATO Secretary-Basic Mark Rutte.
Win McNamee/Getty Photos/Getty Photos North America
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Win McNamee/Getty Photos/Getty Photos North America
After the Alaska summit, European leaders wished to weigh in on Trump’s solutions of a “land swap” — one thing that Zelenskyy has already mentioned he opposes — and safety ensures to stop Russia from invading once more.
On the assembly between European leaders, Trump and Zelenskyy, it was principally Trump who made point out of land swaps.
Trump mentioned Ukraine and Russia wanted to debate “the potential exchanges of territory, making an allowance for the present line of contact. Which means, the warfare zone.”
Zelenskyy mentioned that in his particular person assembly with Trump, the 2 leaders mentioned safety ensures for Ukraine and the problem of human rights. The safety of Ukraine, Zelenskyy mentioned, depends upon the U.S. and European allies.
“We had constructive, particular assembly … we’re glad we’ve got such large unity in the present day,” Zelenskyy mentioned.
European leaders sought to strike a tone of optimism, as they burdened the significance of collective motion.
“I feel, if we play this properly, we may finish this,” mentioned Rutte, the NATO secretary basic. “The truth that you’ve gotten mentioned, ‘I am keen to take part within the safety ensures’ is an enormous step, is known as a breakthrough, and it makes all of the distinction.”
Different European leaders echoed the sentiment.
“You possibly can rely on us as we rely on you,” Macron mentioned.
None of them, nonetheless, made any point out of the territorial traces of Ukraine and Russia that Trump has steered be redrawn.
Trump’s shift on a ceasefire
Zelenskyy returned to Washington amid new questions on Trump’s positions on the warfare, which shifted after he met with Putin. Previous to the Alaska summit, Trump had mentioned he wished a ceasefire and threatened penalties for Russia if the combating did not finish.
However now Trump is advocating in opposition to a ceasefire and pushing for a full peace settlement, which is Putin’s most well-liked place — and he has mentioned he sees no speedy want for brand spanking new sanctions.
President Trump greets Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 15 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
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Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
Some European leaders have been vocal a couple of want for a ceasefire throughout Monday’s assembly, although.
German Chancellor Merz emphasised that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia could be sophisticated, and urged Trump to push for a ceasefire.
“Let’s attempt to put strain on Russia, as a result of the credibility of those efforts, these efforts we’re enterprise in the present day are relying on no less than a ceasefire from the start of the intense negotiations,” Merz mentioned.
Macron pushed for a ceasefire, as properly.
“Your thought to ask for a truce, or no less than to cease the killings, as we mentioned, is a necessity, and all of us help this concept,” Macron mentioned.
