Summit: Trump and Zelensky discuss ending the conflict and the future of Ukraine
The second meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky took place in a radically different tone from their previous dialogue in February, lasting more than half an hour. The main focus of the conversation was the idea that the war must end as soon as possible. Both heads of state expressed agreement on this matter, albeit with different emphases.
Call for an immediate end to hostilities
US President Donald Trump emphasized the urgent need for the conflict to end, stating: "The war must stop. I don't know exactly when, but it must stop. This gentleman wants it to, and Putin wants it to. The whole world is tired of this war. We are already witnessing a sixth war, so it has to stop, even if it's not easy".
This call is in line with growing international concerns about the duration and consequences of the hostilities, which are having a destabilizing effect on global security and the economy. Trump's words about Russian President Vladimir Putin's desire for peace, however, are met with heightened caution, as Russia's actions to date have not shown a firm commitment to a diplomatic solution; on the contrary, they continue to undermine international law.
The Ukrainian position: Stopping Russia and seeking diplomacy
For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed determination to end the aggression, emphasizing Russia's responsibility. He stated: "We have to stop this war, stop Russia, and we have to support our American and European partners. I think we will show that we are strong people and that we support the idea of the United States, personally of President Trump, to stop this war, to find a diplomatic way to end this war. And we are ready for trilateral cooperation, as the president said, this is a good signal for trilateral cooperation".
Zelensky's statement highlights the need for strong international support aimed at containing Russian aggression while also expressing a readiness for dialogue. The idea of trilateral cooperation opens the door for potential future negotiations that would likely involve the US, Ukraine, and Russia, although details about the format and goals of this cooperation were not disclosed.
Gratitude for support and an emphasis on defense
During the meeting, the Ukrainian president expressed deep gratitude for the US diplomatic efforts and provided military assistance. He also noted Europe's role in financing these programs, clarifying that the funds are intended not only for current military needs but also for rearming the Ukrainian army.
Zelensky emphasized that these funds allow Ukraine to purchase weapons from the US and thanked Europe for financing this program. He explained: "These are not just funds for the war, these are funds to ensure security and to assist the army. You ask how much money we need? Work is currently being done on air defense, work is being done on a solution for production in the United States, because in Europe no one produces systems like Patriot, for example. So this is about defense". This comment highlights the critical need to strengthen Ukraine's air defense while also revealing the challenges facing European military production.
Long-term peace and direct dialogue
Donald Trump assured that he would work to achieve long-term peace, which would not be a temporary solution. "But we will work with Ukraine. We will work with everyone and we will make sure that this peace is long-term, we are not talking about a two-year peace and then ending up in this mess again. We will make sure that everything is okay. We will work with Russia, we will work with Ukraine, and we will make sure that everything is okay", Trump said. He emphasized his intention to hold direct dialogue with both Ukraine and Russia, which raises questions about potential future negotiation processes. This approach is expected to be tested in Trump's upcoming conversation with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, which was announced for later the same day.
Personal gestures and diplomatic symbolism
The meeting also included less official moments. President Zelensky expressed special thanks to Melania Trump for a letter to Putin concerning Ukrainian children. He also delivered a letter from his wife to the US First Lady, which further underscores the importance of first-lady diplomacy. Trump complimented Zelensky on his appearance, and the Ukrainian president in turn thanked his host repeatedly, showing a significant change in tone from their previous meeting. These personal gestures attest to a warm and constructive atmosphere between the two leaders, which is in sharp contrast to the tension that often accompanies international relations.