Zelensky hails ‘best’ meeting with Trump

The leaders of the US and Ukraine discussed possible security guarantees and the path to peace with Russia on Monday.

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky hailed Monday’s negotiations with US President Donald Trump as the best meeting they have ever had.

Zelensky met with Trump at the White House, alongside several leaders from Western Europe. The summit came three days after Trump held his first face-to-face meeting since 2019 with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Although no breakthroughs were announced, the parties described the discussions as a positive step toward achieving peace between Ukraine and Russia.

“I would like to thank President Trump for this meeting. It was the best meeting we have had, which is very important,” Zelensky told reporters outside the White House.

Zelensky said he briefed US officials on the battlefield situation, outlining “who really controls each area.”

“Our main goal is a strong, lasting peace for Ukraine and Europe,” he added. Zelensky confirmed that he is ready for a potential meeting with Putin.

Hours earlier, Trump spoke by phone with the Russian leader and said he would work to arrange a Putin-Zelensky meeting, followed by a trilateral summit. Putin has previously said he is ready to meet Zelensky once the peace terms are prepared for signing.

Russia has maintained that it favors a lasting peace rather than a temporary ceasefire and has stressed that Ukraine must renounce claims on newly acquired Russian territories, as well as abandon its plan to join NATO. Zelensky confirmed that potential land swaps were discussed during negotiations in Washington but reiterated that Kiev would not willingly cede any territory or recognize Russia’s new borders.