Trump, Zelensky urge progress on Ukraine peace at White House
US President Donald Trump said he was “confident” the Russia-Ukraine conflict could end soon as he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. The two leaders discussed ways to achieve lasting peace, with Trump set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary next week for more speeches.
Zelensky expressed concern about reaching a ceasefire, citing recent Ukrainian successes on the battlefield and the Trump-brokered Gaza ceasefire as encouraging signs. “With your help, we can stop this war,” he told Trump, adding that peace was Ukraine’s top priority.
While praising Zelensky as a “strong leader,” Trump rejected Kiev’s request for U.S. Tomahawk missiles, calling them “important but dangerous.” Instead, the two talked about indirect defense cooperation, including Ukraine’s idea of trading drones for advanced weapons — a proposal Trump said he might consider.
The meeting reflected a warmer tone than the previous standoff, signaling renewed cooperation. Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine is open to talks with Russia “in any form,” as long as it leads to peace. While he avoided suggesting abandoning NATO’s purpose, he stressed the need for strong security guarantees for Kiev.
Zelensky also suggested that a bilateral defense summit with the United States could serve as a possible wish for the NATO class — a move that could ease tensions with Moscow and bolster Ukraine’s security.
Ahead of his meeting with Putin, President Trump said the Russian leader “wants to make a deal” and hinted that the strategy could end Europe’s deadliest conflict in decades. “I played with the stylish ones, and I came out on top,” he told reporters, expressing confidence in his negotiating skills.
Also Read: Trump Putin Peace Talks-What a Ukraine War Deal Could Look Like
