Despite diplomatic efforts, a clear divide remains between European leaders and Russia over the urgency of establishing a ceasefire in Ukraine.
European leaders, including Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, see a ceasefire as a necessary condition for negotiations to end the war, while President Donald Trump is more focused on securing a peace deal — a position the Kremlin has echoed.
Russia and Ukraine have continued to trade strikes as war talks gain momentum.
Trump and Zelensky held an initial meeting and talks, before they were joined in a discussion with key European leaders who demonstrated Western unity and support for Ukraine.
Present at the talks were the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, the European Commission and NATO.
Zelenskyy disclosed that the discussion covered security guarantees and humanitarian concerns. Those included tentative plans for Ukraine to purchase American weapons through European funding, and for Ukraine to manufacture drones, some of which would be purchased by the US.
They did not discuss redrawing Ukrainian territory, said the NATO chief. However, Zelenskyy said that he had a long discussion with Trump over a map of Russian-captured territories in his country, and that he had “argued” with Trump “about the percentage of territory held on the map.”
Trump ruled out a ceasefire while Zelenskyy and his allies pushed for US-backed security guarantees as part of any long-term agreement.
Sitting with the European leaders in the east room, Trump acknowledged, “All of us would obviously prefer an immediate ceasefire while we work on a lasting peace. Maybe something like that could happen. As of this moment, it’s not happening.”
However, the European allies refused to accept defeat on the issue, mindful that the lack of ceasefire buys Putin more time to wage his war of aggression.
German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz reiterated that real negotiations must include Ukraine and can only happen under a ceasefire.
He emphasized the need for weapons to “fall silent” before any summit can be considered. Merz insisted that “we would all like to see a ceasefire” and he could not imagine the next meeting taking place without one.
“Let’s work on that and let’s try to put pressure on Russia – because the credibility of these efforts we are undertaking today depend on at least a ceasefire from the beginning of the serious negotiations.”
Friedrich Merz
French President Emmanuel Macron also backed the idea of a “truce” as a “necessity.” He highlighted the US’ commitment to develop security guarantees for Ukraine as the most significant outcome.
He also stressed that any talks must occur under a ceasefire, starting with bilateral discussions between Ukraine and Russia. Unmoved, Trump suggested that would be left to Zelenskyy and Putin.
British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer described the meeting as “good and constructive,” noting “real progress” on security guarantees and a consensus to pursue a bilateral agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
He highlighted the importance of Ukraine being at the table for discussions on territory, prisoner exchanges and the return of children.
European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen said “the human cost of this war must end,” focusing particularly on the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia.
Trump paused his meeting with Zelenskyy and the leaders to phone Putin and tell the Russian leader what had been decided – a decision “coordinated” by the European leaders, the Finnish president said.
The Europeans were not present for the call. A Kremlin aide said it had been “very constructive,” and that Putin had expressed support for “direct negotiations” between Ukraine and Russia.
Trump, Zelenskyy and seven European leaders sounded optimistic after their meeting at the White House, in which they worked toward ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.
European officials said that the hastily arranged talks reflected the urgency many leaders feel in aligning with Trump on ending the war — but also their concern that they not be sidelined.
Trump Arranging Zelenskyy-Putin Meeting
Moreover, Trump announced that he has begun arranging a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that at the conclusion of the meetings, he called Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between Putin and Zelenskyy, adding that a trilateral meeting including the US President would follow.
Putin’s Foreign Policy aide, Yury Ushakov said that the Russian President “expressed support for direct negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said that he is ready for “any format” of a meeting with the Russian President.
Starmer and Merz appeared to confirm the meeting. Merz told reporters that Trump spoke with the Russian President on the phone and agreed that there would be a meeting between the Russian president and the Ukrainian President “within the next two weeks.”
However, the German Chancellor cautioned, “We don’t know whether the Russian President will have the courage to attend such a summit. Therefore, persuasion is needed.”
READ ALSO: Databank Research Tips Cedi for Tougher Times as Dollar Pressures Build
