• President Donald Trump met with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington, promising “very good protection.”
  • Trump avoided details on NATO-style guarantees but expressed optimism about peace with Russia.
  • European leaders joined Zelensky in D.C. as Trump pushed for a swift resolution to the conflict.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TDR) — President Donald Trump met with Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday afternoon, signaling that the United States would give Ukraine “very good protection.” While Trump declined to elaborate, the remarks underscored his effort to project confidence about negotiations that could end the war.

Trump Signals Support, Holds Back on NATO-Like Guarantees

Speaking from the East Room alongside Zelensky and European leaders, Trump said:

“We’re going to be discussing it today, but we will give them very good protection, very good security. That’s part of it.”

Over the weekend, White House envoy Steve Witkoff floated the possibility of Article 5-like protection, but Trump did not commit to such terms. Instead, he emphasized progress, stating, “We will come to a resolution today, I think, on almost everything, including probably the security.”

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Zelensky’s Tone Shifts from February Clash

The atmosphere contrasted sharply with a meeting six months earlier, when Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful.” This time, Zelensky struck a more conciliatory tone, immediately thanking Trump for his peace push.

Trump told him directly:

“I have a feeling you and President [Vladimir] Putin are going to work something out. Ultimately, this is a decision that can only be made by President Zelensky and by the people of Ukraine working also together in agreement with President Putin.”

Zelensky’s measured approach comes amid mounting European pressure to secure a ceasefire before winter.

European Leaders Join for Washington Talks

Zelensky arrived around 1 p.m. with several EU leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, Giorgia Meloni, Alexander Stubb, Keir Starmer, Mark Rutte, and Ursula von der Leyen. The group sat in the Oval Office with Trump and Zelensky, avoiding the tension of the February exchange.

European Council President Antonio Costa later announced a videoconference for Tuesday, stating, “Together with the U.S., the EU will continue working towards a lasting peace that safeguards Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.” His remarks highlighted Europe’s growing stake in shaping the next phase of the war.

Trump’s Social Media Message

In a late-night post on Truth Social, Trump suggested Zelensky held the keys to ending the war:

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“Zelensky can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight. Remember how it started — no getting back Obama giving up Crimea, and no going into NATO by Ukraine.”

The statement recalled long-standing disputes over Crimea’s annexation and NATO expansion, issues that remain central to both Trump’s negotiations and Russia’s demands.

Trump’s optimism reflects his belief that personal diplomacy can succeed where years of war have failed, but questions remain about whether Washington’s leverage is strong enough to deliver a durable peace.

Will Trump’s strategy of direct talks deliver peace, or simply raise expectations without changing the battlefield reality?

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