White House talks set the next stage of the Russian-Ukrainian peace process

President Donald Trump describes his negotiations with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy The European leader was a “very good, early step” to end the Russian-Ukrainian war at nearly four years old, announcing that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin to arrange a direct meeting with Zelenskyy.

Trump said the world leaders group held discussions on security assurances in Ukraine, mainly from the commitment of European countries to “coordinate with the United States” in a statement on social truth after the meeting.

“Everyone is very happy with the possibility of peace in Russia/Ukraine,” Trump said. JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff are now giving follow-up speeches with Moscow and Kyiv.

Zelenskyy said he was also ready to meet Putin directly.

The Kremlin’s readings of Trump-Putin’s phone confirmed that the two “discussed the idea of improving the level of direct negotiations between Russia-Ukraine”, but did not say whether Putin agreed.

Flashback: Zelenskyy met Trump in the Oval Office the previous time

Trump outlines what to do next

Trump revealed that after the Oval Office meeting, he called Putin to start “arrangements to arrange location meetings established between President Putin and President Zelensky.” If that happens, the next phase will be a “Trilat”, a trilateral meeting involving itself, Putin and Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy said he would meet with Trump and Putin, or next with Putin.

“We confirm that we are ready to attend the trilateral meeting,” the Ukrainian president told reporters after the meeting. “If Russia proposes to the bilateral president of the United States and then we will see the bilateral result, then it can be triangular. So, I always say that Ukraine will never stop on the road to peace, and we are ready for any form, but at the level of the leader.”

President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Vodimir Zelensky at the White House on Monday. (Getty Image)

Although Trump had previously served as a mediator rather than a trader, Putin’s proposal to face-to-face with Zelenskyy marks the biggest breakthrough in peace talks. “Again, this is a very good early step in the war that has been going on for nearly four years,” he said.

Security assurance discussed

The idea of “safety assurance” has long been at the heart of Ukrainian requirements. According to Trump, these will be provided mainly by European countries coordinated with Washington. Before the meeting, Trump did not rule out the guarantee of US military participation, but he has since stressed that Europe will bear the main burden of defending Ukraine.

The photos taken on January 23, 2024 show graves, mostly victims killed during a Russian strike during a Russian strike in the Kharkiv region that was invaded by Russia by Ukraine. (Roman Perch/AFP via Getty Image)

Trump also reiterated his view that U.S. support should be through weapons sales rather than aid packages. “We have nothing. We are selling weapons,” he said earlier this week.

Land swaps may be on the table

During the meeting, images of Trump and Zelenskyy outlined a map that outlined the frontlines of the war and about 20% of the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. Trump may have used the map to discuss areas he could actually separate for peace.

After the bilateral meeting, the two leaders met with seven other European leaders. (Reuters/Alexander Drago)

According to familiar sources Zelenskyy’s visit The plan, clarity of security assurances on the United States and Europe could help Ukrainian leaders raise cases at home for any territorial concessions, which could be a central element of talks with Russia. The issue of Ukraine can “let go” and what areas must be preserved remains very sensitive in Kiev, where public opinion becomes strong after years of fighting and heavy civilian losses.

Russian drone strike kills 7 in Kharkif during Zelensky’s White House meeting with Trump

Russia’s absolute rejection

Moscow strongly opposes the concept of NATO-style assurance. According to state media RIA, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement during the White House talks warning that any arrangements by NATO countries could trigger “uncontrolled escalation” and trigger with “unpredictable consequences.” This absolute rejection underscores the difficulty of bridging the gap between Ukrainian security needs and Russian needs.

President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) held a meeting of the joint base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska on August 15, 2025. The two leaders are meeting to end peace talks in the Ukrainian war. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also attended the meeting. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

European leaders weight

German Chancellor Merz stressed that without at least a temporary ceasefire, no meaningful conversation would have occurred.

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“I can’t imagine that there will be a next meeting without a ceasefire,” Melz said. “So let’s work and put pressure on Russia because the credibility of these efforts depends at least on the ceasefire.”

Fox News’s Jacqui Heinrich contributed to the report.