Ukraine’s allies may agree on reliable security guarantees for Ukraine that would make any future aggression impossible, U.S. President Donald Trump said at the start of an expanded-format meeting at the White House with the presidents of the United States and Ukraine, as well as European leaders.
“I am optimistic that we can collectively reach an agreement that will deter any future aggression against Ukraine,” Trump said.
According to him, the greatest burden will fall on European countries, “but we will help them and make everything very secure.” He added: “Of course, we would all like an immediate ceasefire, working toward a lasting peace, and perhaps something like that may indeed happen.”
Trump also said the meeting must address “territorial exchanges, taking into account the current line of contact.” However, he stressed that “ultimately this decision can only be made by President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people in agreement with Putin.”
The U.S. President added that he would try to arrange a direct meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin as soon as possible. “If Ukraine wants it, I will also take part. Not that I want to, but I will do it, because I want to save many lives,” Trump concluded.
The expanded-format meeting began at the White House with the participation of the presidents of the United States and Ukraine, along with European leaders who came to Washington to discuss ways to end the war in Ukraine.
In addition to the presidents of Ukraine and the U.S., the meeting is attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
