Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a dramatic turn of events at the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a potential breakthrough in efforts to end the nearly four-year-long war in Ukraine. Following a series of meetings with European leaders and NATO officials, Trump announced plans to speak directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin to push for a historic trilateral summit involving all three leaders.
The day’s developments represent the most concerted diplomatic push yet toward a negotiated settlement since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
A Diplomatic Reset in the Oval Office
The atmosphere inside the Oval Office was markedly different from Zelensky’s previous visit in February, which ended in diplomatic friction and public embarrassment over his refusal to wear a traditional suit. This time, dressed in a black military-style outfit, a symbolic uniform he has vowed to wear until the war ends, Zelensky was warmly received.
Trump opened the meeting by calling it an “honor” to host the Ukrainian president, praising the progress made in private discussions. “We’ve had a lot of good talks. Substantial progress,” Trump said. The cordial tone extended to lighter moments, with Trump and journalists joking about Zelensky’s attire. The Ukrainian president responded good-naturedly, quipping to a reporter, “You are in the same suit. I changed mine.”
Zelensky, in turn, repeatedly expressed gratitude for American support, a notable shift after being previously criticized by Vice President JD Vance for perceived ingratitude. He also presented a handwritten letter from his wife, Olena Zelenska, to First Lady Melania Trump, thanking her for raising the plight of 20,000 Ukrainian children abducted by Russian forces.
From Friction to Forward Momentum
The diplomatic thaw was underscored by Zelensky’s declaration that he is ready to engage in direct negotiations with Putin and Trump to end the war. Responding to a pointed question from an American journalist about Ukrainian troop losses, Zelensky said:
“We need to stop this war, to stop Russia. We support the idea of the United States, of President Trump personally, to make a diplomatic way of finishing this war. And we are ready for a trilateral meeting, as the president suggested.”
Trump confirmed that Putin was expecting his call shortly after the meeting, saying, “If we don’t have a trilat, then the fighting continues. If we do, we have a good chance.”
He also hinted that the summit could happen in Europe within days, with Rome reportedly his preferred location, though Moscow is said to favor Geneva.
Security Guarantees and Territorial Concessions
A central component of the evolving peace plan involves security guarantees for Ukraine, an issue that could redefine the country’s geopolitical future. Trump suggested that these guarantees could resemble NATO’s Article 5, providing protection without full NATO membership a key Russian demand.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte hailed Trump’s support for security guarantees as a “breakthrough.” Speaking at a multilateral session with Zelensky and European leaders, Rutte said: “The fact that you have said ‘I am willing to participate in the security guarantees’ is a big step… It makes all the difference.”
The talks also touched on the deeply sensitive issue of territorial concessions. Trump acknowledged that “possible exchanges of territory” were on the table and said discussions would consider “the current line of contact” effectively freezing the conflict along present front lines. While controversial, the proposal appears to have gained quiet traction among some European leaders eager to end the fighting.
Europe Pushes Back, But Seeks Peace
European leaders descended en masse on the White House, underscoring the gravity of the moment. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, and others joined Zelensky and Trump to advocate for a lasting and just peace.
Sir Keir, speaking en route to Washington, said the stakes could not be higher: “Everybody wants this war to end, not least the Ukrainians. But we’ve got to get it right. We need peace that is lasting, fair, and just.”
Macron proposed expanding any future summit to include European representation, noting, “When we speak about security guarantees, we speak about the whole security of the European continent.” Trump, however, appeared focused on a tighter format involving only the three principal actors.
Amid this diplomatic effort, Russia continued its bombardment of Ukrainian cities. Overnight missile and drone strikes on six Ukrainian regions killed ten civilians, including a one-year-old girl. Zelensky condemned the attacks as “demonstrative and cynical,” meant to undermine the peace process.
Mounting Pressure and Fragile Optimism
Despite the optimism surrounding a possible peace deal, tensions remain high. Trump has faced mounting criticism over his perceived leniency toward Putin, especially after a recent summit in Alaska where the U.S. reportedly dropped demands for an immediate ceasefire and signaled openness to Russian control over the entire Donbas region.
Posting on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump took aim at his critics, writing: “I’ll get it done – I always do!!!”
He has also argued that Ukraine’s NATO ambitions should be shelved permanently, pointing to the 2014 annexation of Crimea as evidence of past failures. “No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!” he wrote.
Zelensky, for his part, pushed back. In a post on X, he warned that the 2014 concessions only emboldened Russia: “Peace must be lasting. Not like it was years ago, when Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea and part of our east and Putin used it as a springboard for a new attack.”
Still, Zelensky struck a conciliatory tone overall, stating that he had a “very good conversation” with Trump and was hopeful that a three-way summit could mark the beginning of the end for the war.
“We all equally want to end this war swiftly and reliably,” he said. “Ultimately, this is a decision that can only be made by President Zelensky and by the people of Ukraine working together in agreement with President Putin.”
What Comes Next?
While no agreement has yet been signed, the momentum is undeniable. Trump signaled that a resolution on security guarantees was likely by the end of the day. Whether that includes a ceasefire or paves the way for more extensive negotiations will depend heavily on his upcoming call with Putin.
For now, the world waits to see whether diplomacy can succeed where weapons have failed.
