Trump Promises ‘Lasting Peace,’ Looks Towards Trilateral Meeting With Putin and Zelenskyy

President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at the White House on Monday to discuss a potential end to the Russia-Ukraine War. 

The Details: Zelenskyy, accompanied by other European leaders, said he was “ready” to meet trilaterally with both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump said he would speak to Putin after the meeting. He promised ‘very good protection, very good security’ as part of his deal with the Ukrainian government. Despite saying the war was not yet at a close, Trump asserted, “We’re gonna have a lasting peace.”

Key Quotes: Trump said he didn’t think a ceasefire was necessary, though he did like the prospect of ending fatalities: “You know, if you look at the six deals that I settled this year, they were all at war. I didn’t do any ceasefires. And I know that it might be good to have, but I can also understand strategically [why] one country or the other wouldn’t want it.”

For Context: The meeting came after Trump and Putin’s “Pursuing Peace” meeting on Friday. Zelenskyy was not in attendance but said he was “counting on America.” Trump contacted Zelenskyy after his and Putin’s press conference, declaring that a final deal to end the war would be up to the Ukrainian government. 

How The Media Covered It: News media across the political spectrum highlighted differing aspects of the meeting and rhetoric between the leaders. Washington Examiner (Lean Right bias) said Zelenskyy “avoided a contentious repeat of his February meeting in the Oval Office…keeping to script and correcting his perceived shortcomings.” ABC News (Lean Left) said Zelenskyy “received a verbal lashing” from Trump and Vice President JD Vance in February. The Hill (Center) took the opportunity to highlight Trump’s national interests of cracking down on crime in Washington, D.C., and ending mail-in voting. 

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