WASHINGTON (WDNews) — President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders at the White House on Tuesday in what he called an effort to “stop the killing” and move toward an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.
The meeting followed Trump’s August 15 summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which the White House said helped open dialogue on possible security guarantees for Ukraine. Trump told reporters he had spoken indirectly with Putin earlier in the day and planned to call him following the White House discussions.
“We’ve had a very successful day thus far, important discussions as we work to end the killings and stop the war in Ukraine,” Trump said. “Ultimately this is a decision that can only be made by President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, working also in agreement with President Putin.”
Zelenskyy said Ukraine welcomed the talks, emphasizing security guarantees and the return of prisoners.
“We need to stop this war, to stop Russia. We need support from American and European partners, and we will do our best for this,” he said.
European leaders including NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined the meeting. Several backed calls for an eventual cease-fire as a step toward peace, though Trump said past negotiations he has helped broker did not require one.
Trump said the next step could be a trilateral meeting between himself, Putin,and Zelenskyy.
“There’s a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that,” he said, adding that “good things will come of it” if both leaders are willing.
The war in Ukraine has stretched into its third year, with heavy casualties on both sides. Trump argued that “millions of people” have been affected and stressed that “a peace agreement is something that is attainable.”
