Trump said that after talks with Zelensky and European leaders at the White House, he called Putin and began setting up a Zelensky–Putin meeting, to be followed by a three-way session including himself.
He called the White House talks a “good first step” and said European countries, in coordination with the United States, would provide security guarantees for Ukraine. He has previously compared the envisioned protection to NATO’s Article 5.
Zelensky called the outcome “good,” saying territorial issues would be discussed directly with Putin. He described discussions on security guarantees as “key at the start of the road to ending the war,” adding that Washington signaled it would take part — a “big step forward.”
The Financial Times, citing a Kyiv proposal sent to Trump, reported Ukraine offered to buy USD 100 billion of US weapons using European funds to secure US guarantees after peace, and a separate USD 50 billion deal with Ukrainian firms to produce drones.
Commentators said Monday’s meeting went far better than the pair’s first encounter in February, which ended in an Oval Office row.
France’s Le Figaro said the tone between the US and Ukrainian presidents had “radically” changed, with Trump convinced success is within reach and Putin ready to accept peace.
Participants said no detailed terms of security guarantees were agreed.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told Fox News there was no discussion of sending troops to Ukraine; on membership, he said the United States and some allies do not agree to it.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the “coalition of the willing” — 31 states committed to strengthening Ukraine — will work with the United States on guarantees. He called that one of two key results, the other being the prospect of a Putin–Zelensky meeting. “We made real progress,” he said, adding that issues such as territory, prisoner exchanges and the return of children must be negotiated by Ukraine.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Trump and Putin agreed that Putin would meet Zelensky within two weeks.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb said Putin is not “trustworthy,” doubting he would have the courage to attend, and noted guarantee details should be refined within a week.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Trump and Putin held an “open” and “very constructive” call, backed direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations and discussed raising their level.
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking in the United States, urged tougher sanctions on Russia if negotiations fail, saying they must be tightened to increase pressure on Moscow.
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Source: PAP