White House Talks Spark Hope for Putin-Zelensky Peace Meeting

COLOMBO (News 1st);  U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and seven key European leaders expressed optimism following a high-level meeting at the White House on Monday, aimed at advancing efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The hastily arranged talks underscored the urgency felt by European leaders to align with Trump’s approach to resolving the conflict, while also ensuring their voices remain central in the peace process.

Who Was at the Table

The meeting began with bilateral discussions between Trump and Zelensky, later joined by leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, as well as representatives from the European Commission and NATO, signaling strong Western unity and continued support for Ukraine.

Key Topics Discussed

President Zelensky said the talks focused on security guarantees, humanitarian concerns, and defense cooperation. Plans were discussed for Ukraine to purchase U.S. weapons using European funding, and to manufacture drones, some of which would be acquired by the U.S.

While territorial changes were not formally discussed, Zelensky revealed he had a detailed conversation with Trump over a map of Russian-occupied territories, describing it as a “spirited argument” over the extent of Russian control.

Trump’s Call to Putin

In a dramatic moment, Trump paused the meeting to call Russian President Vladimir Putin, informing him of the outcomes of the talks. The call, coordinated with European leaders but held privately, was described by a Kremlin aide as “very constructive,” with Putin reportedly expressing support for direct negotiations with Ukraine.

A Possible Putin-Zelensky Meeting

Trump announced he is working to arrange a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelensky, which could be followed by a trilateral summit involving the U.S. The Kremlin confirmed Putin’s openness to direct talks, while Zelensky stated he is ready for “any format” of engagement.

A Shift in Tone

The atmosphere was notably more cordial than the tense Oval Office meeting in February, which had been marked by disagreements. This time, Zelensky appeared in a formal suit rather than military attire, and brought a personal letter from Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska to Melania Trump, thanking her for her message to Putin about the suffering of children in the war.