Trump Assures Zelenskyy Of U.S. Security Backing At White House Summit
…As European Leaders Push For Ceasefire
President Donald Trump on Monday assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of security backing in any settlement to end Russia’s war with Ukraine.
The pledge came during a high-profile summit at the White House, where Trump hosted Zelenskyy alongside top European leaders, just two days after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
The gathering was different from their last Oval Office encounter in February, when Trump and Vice President JD Vance openly rebuked Zelenskyy. This time, the tone was much friendlier.
Trump greeted Zelenskyy warmly, praised his suit in a lighthearted remark, and later placed a hand on his back as the two posed for photographs.
Zelenskyy, in turn, expressed repeated gratitude, calling the U.S. promise of security guarantees “a very strong signal.”
“We spoke about many issues, but when it comes to security, the United States is ready to help,” Zelenskyy told reporters.
On his part, Trump said, “There’s going to be a lot of help. Europe will also be deeply involved, they’re on the front lines, but we’ll be there with them.”
Despite the development, prospects for peace remain distant.
European leaders in attendance, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and representatives of Britain, Italy, Finland, the EU and NATO, urged Trump to demand a ceasefire as a condition for talks.
“I cannot imagine another meeting taking place without a ceasefire,” Merz said.
Macron reinforced the point, adding: “When we speak about security guarantees, it is about the entire European continent.”
Trump, however, leaned closer to Russia’s line after his Alaska talks with Putin, suggesting that negotiations and fighting could proceed simultaneously.
“I like the idea of a ceasefire. I wish they could stop, but strategically it could be a disadvantage for one side or the other,” he said.
Trump has vowed to end Europe’s bloodiest conflict in eight decades, but Ukraine and its allies worry he could push Ukraine toward territorial swaps.
He has already signaled that Ukraine should abandon its bid to join NATO and drop demands to retake Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014.
Putin’s latest proposals, floated at the Alaska summit, include Ukraine surrendering the last quarter of Donetsk which is outside Russia’s control.
Zelenskyy strongly rejected these terms, insisting that any territorial compromise must require a referendum.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities killed at least 10 people overnight, including children in Kharkiv, while Ukrainian drones struck an oil facility in Russia’s Tambov region, disrupting flows through the Druzhba pipeline.
Trump maintains that Putin wants to end the war and confirmed he spoke with the Russian leader again on Monday.
The Kremlin, however, has yet to commit to any trilateral meeting with Trump and Zelenskyy. Russia has also dismissed the idea of NATO forces in Ukraine.
Trump Assures Zelenskyy Of U.S. Security Backing At White House Summit is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
