Trump to Meet Zelensky on Monday After ‘Difficult’ Post-Summit Call/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet Donald Trump in Washington after the U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska failed to produce a ceasefire. Trump shifted toward Putin’s stance, calling for a full peace settlement rather than a temporary truce. European allies pledged support for Ukraine while warning of Russia’s continued aggression.
Zelenskyy Trump Meeting Quick Looks
- Zelenskyy heads to Washington for White House talks with Trump on Monday.
- Trump adopts Putin’s view: direct peace agreement, not a ceasefire.
- European allies welcome Trump’s involvement but vow more sanctions on Russia.
- Putin left Alaska summit without making commitments to end the war.
- Zelenskyy insists Europeans must be involved for security guarantees.
- Trump says Ukraine and Europe now carry responsibility to “get it done.”
- Coalition of European leaders to hold a video call Sunday.
- Critics say Putin gained legitimacy in Alaska without concessions.
Deep Look: Zelenskyy to Meet Trump in Washington After Alaska Summit Ends Without Ceasefire
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, just days after Trump’s Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin failed to secure a halt to the war. The meeting will test whether Trump’s shift toward Putin’s preferred path — a full peace settlement instead of a ceasefire — leaves room for Ukraine’s demands.
Trump Aligns With Putin’s Approach
In a Saturday social media post, Trump announced that the best path forward was a comprehensive peace agreement rather than a temporary truce.
“It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement … and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up,” Trump wrote.
The statement represents a sharp reversal. Until recently, Washington had backed Ukraine and its European allies in demanding a ceasefire as the first step.
Analysts called Trump’s pivot a sign he is “shifting toward Putin,” allowing Russia to continue its offensive while talks unfold.
Zelenskyy’s Call With Trump
Zelenskyy, who was excluded from the Alaska talks, said he had a “long and substantive” phone call with Trump early Saturday. “We will discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war,” he said, confirming Monday’s White House meeting.
It will be Zelenskyy’s first visit to the U.S. since a tense Oval Office encounter in February, when Trump publicly accused him of being “disrespectful.” This time, Zelenskyy stressed the need for Europe to be directly involved alongside the U.S., especially to secure binding guarantees for Ukraine’s defense.
Europe Pushes Back
European leaders welcomed Trump’s engagement but avoided endorsing his ceasefire bypass. In a joint statement, France, Germany, the U.K., Italy, Poland, Finland, and EU officials said Ukraine must have “ironclad security guarantees” and that “international borders must not be changed by force.”
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that Russia had no intention of ending its assault, pointing to fresh strikes on Ukraine even as Trump and Putin met. “Putin continues to drag out negotiations and hopes he gets away with it,” she said.
On Sunday, France, Germany, and the U.K. will co-host a video call of “coalition of the willing” nations, aimed at reinforcing international monitoring and support for any future settlement.
Trump Puts Onus on Kyiv
During his return from Alaska, Trump told Fox News that Zelenskyy might now bear the main responsibility to secure peace.
“Ukraine has to agree to it. Maybe they’ll say no. But they’ve gotta make a deal,” Trump said, adding that some European partners would also be involved.
Putin, meanwhile, claimed he and Trump reached an “understanding” in Alaska, while warning Europe not to “torpedo the progress.” But his adviser Yuri Ushakov said a U.S.-Ukraine-Russia trilateral meeting “was not discussed.”
Zelenskyy nevertheless voiced support for such a format, saying “key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders.” He also urged more sanctions if Russia resists an honest path to peace.
Putin Gains Symbolically
For Putin, the Anchorage summit itself was a triumph. After years of isolation and an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, he stood alongside Trump on American soil, flanked by red carpets and banners reading “Pursuing Peace.”
Former British ambassador Laurie Bristow noted that Putin “wasn’t in the least challenged” by Trump, calling it a symbolic end to Moscow’s ostracization.
Cold War historian Sergey Radchenko said, “Putin basically won this round because he got something for nothing.”
The Battlefield Reality
On the ground, Russia and Ukraine continue fighting across a 1,000-kilometer front line. Russian forces have accelerated their advances, capturing more territory in recent months than at any time since the war’s opening phase.
Zelenskyy insists Ukraine needs more than vague promises. “We need a lasting peace, not just another pause,” he said, framing Monday’s White House meeting as pivotal.
Whether Trump’s alignment with Putin’s path toward peace can coexist with Ukraine’s security demands — and Europe’s insistence on sovereignty — may define the next stage of diplomacy in a war now dragging into its fourth year.
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