Today’s White House meeting is bringing together Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key European leaders as they project unity to persuade US President Donald Trump to take a tougher stance against Russia. Following Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week in Alaska, European leaders, including France’s Macron, Britain’s Starmer, and EU’s von der Leyen are in Washington DC to ensure Ukraine’s security and territorial integrity remain non-negotiable. With talks focussing on security guarantees, Crimea’s future, and a potential peace deal, the stakes have never been higher for Ukraine and European stability. Stay tuned with NewsX for all the breaking and LIVE news updates from the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting happening at the White House today.
During a White House East Room session, after President Trump, President Zelenskyy, and seven European leaders answered reporters’ questions around a table, a hot microphone picked up Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni telling Trump, “Thank you for being so fair,” along with additional remarks.
During a private session, President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reviewed a large map illustrating the ongoing Russian invasion.
The map highlighted Moscow’s control over various regions in Ukraine’s eastern provinces, or oblasts.
Later, Zelensky joked about the map while meeting with European leaders. “I showed the president a lot of details on the battlefield — on the map,” he said. “Thank you for the map, by the way. It’s great. I’m thinking how to take it back.”
After delivering public statements on the ongoing war in Ukraine, President Trump and European leaders proceeded to the private segment of their meeting.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump as their “best conversation” to date. “I think that we had a very good conversation with President Trump, very good. And it really was the best one,” Zelensky said.
He added, “Maybe the best one will be in the future, but it was really good,” signaling optimism about ongoing diplomatic discussions.
Zelensky also suggested that he would welcome Trump’s participation in a potential future meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, if such a direct dialogue were to take place.
At the White House, President Donald Trump and his guests posed for cameras in a display of unity. French President Emmanuel Macron stood to Trump’s left, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was positioned to his right.
During the lineup, Trump drew attention to a painting showing him pumping his fist after surviving an assassination attempt during last year’s presidential campaign. “That was not a good day. Not a great day. See the picture?” he remarked.
After delivering their opening statements and answering questions from reporters in the Oval Office, the leaders moved on to private, closed-door discussions. A group photo of Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the attending European leaders is scheduled, followed by a meeting in the East Room to focus on strategies to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
President Donald Trump expressed optimism about arranging a trilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he welcomed Zelensky to the White House for crucial discussions aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said, “If everything goes well today, we’ll have a trilateral meeting, and I believe there’s a reasonable chance of bringing the war to an end through it.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared details on the security measures he believes are crucial to ending the conflict in Ukraine.
He explained, “It includes two main components. First, a strong Ukrainian military, which I have begun discussing with your colleagues, focusing on weapons, personnel, training, and intelligence.”
“Second, we will consult with our international partners. The outcome depends on major countries, including the United States and all of our allies,” Zelensky added.
President Donald Trump has defended his move from advocating a ceasefire in Ukraine to pursuing a comprehensive peace agreement.
He noted, “A ceasefire could be beneficial, but I understand strategically why one side might resist it. With a ceasefire, the rebuilding process begins immediately.”
Trump added, “Perhaps they don’t want that. I do support a ceasefire in one sense because it would immediately stop the loss of life, rather than waiting a week or two.”
He also emphasized, “It’s possible to negotiate a peace deal while the fighting continues.”
Ukraine has reportedly agreed to ceasefire proposals, while Russia has declined them.
President Trump addressed the possibility of deploying US troops as peacekeepers in Eastern Europe.
“We’ll let you know maybe later today. We’re meeting with seven outstanding leaders from great countries, and we’ll be discussing this. Everyone will be involved, and there will be significant support for security. It’s going to be strong support. It’s going to be good,” Trump said.
He added, “They are the first line of defense because they are in Europe, but we will be there to support them.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed his willingness to engage in discussions with President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at ending the conflict.
“We need to stop this war and stop Russia,” Zelensky said.
President Trump added, “We’re not talking about a two-year peace and then we end up in this mess again.”
A reporter questioned President Trump about his earlier remarks suggesting that Zelensky could end the war immediately if he chose to.
Trump responded that he believes this is possible and mentioned that Russia, Ukraine, and the US plan to hold a trilateral meeting, offering a “good chance” to bring the conflict to a close.
He clarified that Monday should not be seen as “the end of the road” if the discussions do not go as planned. “People are being killed, and we want to stop that,” Trump said. “So I would not say it’s the end of the road. No. I think we have a good chance of doing it.”
Reflecting on the duration and toll of the conflict, he added, “It’s been almost four years now. A lot of people were killed last week.”
Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are seated together in the Oval Office.
Joining them on the US side are Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
As Trump welcomed Zelensky at the entrance, reporters directed questions toward the US president. When asked about his message to the Ukrainian people, Trump replied succinctly, “We love them,” before posing for photographs with Zelensky and heading inside.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reached the White House.
He was welcomed by President Trump upon arrival.
Zelensky stepped out of his vehicle wearing a military-style suit without a tie, a detail that drew Trump’s attention.
French President Emmanuel Macron, appearing composed after his long transatlantic journey and swift trip to the White House, has arrived.
He exchanged a two-handed “sandwich” handshake with Monica Crowley before proceeding inside.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a message on X approximately 20 minutes ago, ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump.
He stated, “Our primary objective is to achieve a stable and lasting peace for Ukraine and for all of Europe. It is crucial that the outcomes of all our meetings contribute directly to this goal. We recognize that we cannot expect Putin to willingly halt aggression or abandon further attempts at conquest. That is why pressure is necessary, and it must be coordinated – from the United States, Europe, and all nations that uphold the right to life and respect international law.
“We must put an end to the killings, and I express my gratitude to our partners who are striving toward this goal and ultimately toward a secure and dignified peace. Ahead of the meeting with President Trump, we aligned our positions with the leaders of Finland, the United Kingdom, Italy, the European Commission, and the NATO Secretary General. Ukraine is prepared for a genuine truce and the creation of a new security framework. Peace is our priority.”
Along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the talks will be attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
A military honor guard has assembled on the South Lawn of the White House ahead of the arrival of European leaders. Uniformed troops carrying the flags of all US states stood at attention as they prepared to welcome the seven leaders scheduled to attend today’s talks.
António Costa, through his X post, announced the meeting to discuss today’s White House meetings. He wrote, “Together with the US, the EU will continue working towards a lasting peace that safeguards Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.”
Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink posted on X that the last meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his counterpart, Donald Trump, was among the reasons she chose to resign.
Brink, who stepped down from her post in April, wrote that the best outcome from current talks would be a united effort with European partners to guarantee Ukraine’s security. The post read, “This means insisting on an immediate ceasefire, ramping up sanctions to cripple Putin’s war machine, and seizing Russian assets to fund U.S. weapons purchases — a win for American businesses and workers.”
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held a telephonic conversation with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, today. Putin also spoke separately with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to brief them about the Alaska summit.
After meeting US special envoy on Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, in Washington, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed that Ukraine is prepared to work constructively toward achieving peace. On his X, Zelenskyy wrote, “Russia can only be forced into peace through strength, and President Trump has that strength”.
Moments before the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a video posted on X, “We’ve got to make sure there is peace, that it is lasting peace, and that it is fair and that it is just.”
Local news agency Ukrinform reported that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting with US special envoy on Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, in Washington ahead of his high-stakes talks with President Donald Trump later Today.
An official from Europe said that the question of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s attire was discussed between US and Ukrainian officials ahead of his talks with President Donald Trump Today. The understanding was that Zelensky would avoid wearing his customary military fatigues.
Trump had previously expressed displeasure when Zelensky arrived at the White House in February in uniform, joking at the time that the Ukrainian leader got “all dressed up.”
Ahead of a key White House meeting, European leaders and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy are pressing US President Trump for firm security guarantees and unity against Russian aggression. Macron warns Europe must stay strong or risk future conflicts. Von der Leyen has called for Ukraine to be a “steel porcupine” with no limits on its armed forces.
Read more about what other leaders are saying here.
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are arriving to meet with President Donald Trump. Macron has warned, “If we are weak with Russia today, we’ll be preparing the conflicts of tomorrow.” The Europeans are pushing for NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine to prevent future Russian invasions, backing Zelenskyy’s call for robust protection.
According to the White House schedule, President Donald Trump will greet Ukrainian President Zelenskyy for a private meeting ahead of wider discussion with European leaders. Trump has suggested Zelenskyy must consider some of Russia’s demands, including ceding Crimea and agreeing to never join the NATO, in order to achieve lasting peace. Zelenskyy, however, has repeatedly rejected surrendering Ukrainian territory, while citing his country’s constitutional limits.
European leaders have arrived at the White House to join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for today’s crucial talks with President Donald Trump, projecting a united front in hopes to secure stronger US support against Russian aggression. The focus will be on security guarantees for Ukraine, the fate of Crimea, and potential peace negotiations with Russia.
