Trump smiles at Zelenskyy but shifts the door post of Ukraine’s peace deal | U.S. foreign policy

Donald Trump welcomes Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Going to the White House, but it seems to rule out arrangements for a ceasefire, part of a plan to end the war with Russia.

The U.S. President’s meeting with Zelenskyy went smoother on Monday than his first encounter in the Oval Office six months ago When Ukrainian leaders were ambushed and blamed by Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

This time, there is no doubt European leaders gather in the White HouseZelenskyy’s invitation to thank Trump, and the two even shared humorous plays while Vance remained silent.

But the U.S. president only warned Russia last week that if the president had “very serious consequences” Vladimir Putin Failure to agree to a ceasefire at the Alaska summit has made it clear that he has turned his stance.

When asked about the potential of a ceasefire, Trump mentioned other conflicts he claimed had ended and told reporters: “I don’t think you need a ceasefire. If you look at the six deals I’ve reached this year, they’re all in the war – I don’t have a ceasefire.”

“I know having it might be a good thing, but I can also understand strategically that one country or another doesn’t want it.

He added: “I like the concept of a ceasefire for a reason, because you’ll stop killing people right away, not within two weeks or a week or anything you need. But we can make an agreement and we’re working on a peace deal when fighting.”

Monday’s rush meeting was at Trump meets Putin in Anchorage And said that the responsibility now will be agreed on Zelenskyy that he said the war could be ended.

Trump has developed a habit of a series of leaders coming to the Oval Office in front of a camera with a series of leaders facing reporters’ problems. Monday is no different.

Reporter asked if our support was “the end of the road” Ukraine If no agreement is reached, Trump said it is “never ended.”

“We will make sure that if there is peace, peace will remain for a long time…we are not talking about two years of peace and then we are in trouble again.”

He also expressed hope that their negotiations will also involve Keir Starmer and other European leaders, which could lead to a trilateral meeting with Putin. “I think if everything goes well today, we will have a triangle and I think when we do that, there will be a reasonable chance to end the war.”

“We’re ready for three sides,” Zelenskyy said.

“I just talked indirectly with President Putin and today after these meetings, we will call right away – we may or may not have Trilat,” Trump added.

Zelenskyy outlines what he said the country needs to feel safe, which includes the sale of weapons and training of a “strong Ukrainian army”. He said the second part will depend on the outcome of Monday’s talks, and any guaranteed EU countries, NATO and the United States will be able to provide war-torn countries.

Trump refused to rule out the dispatch of U.S. troops to Ukraine, noting that it would be a point of discussion with European leaders. “We will tell you, maybe later today. We will meet with the seven leaders of the seven great nations, and we will discuss that.”

He added: “They want to provide protection and feel very strong about it and we will help them. I think it’s very important to get this deal done.”

In sharp contrast Februarythere are also lighter moments. “You look great in this suit,” pro-Trump TV reporter Brian Glenn told Zelenskyy. Glenn asked Ukrainian leaders about his clothes during his last visit to the Oval Office, which meant that his casual clothes were disrespectful.

Trump jumped up and said, “I said the same thing.” Trump turned to Zelenskyy and said, “That was the one who attacked you last time.”

Zelenskyy said, “I remember that, and then said to Glenn, “You see me change; you are not.” ”

European leaders held a preparatory meeting with the Ukrainian president in Washington on Monday morning, while Zelenskyy also met with Trump’s Ukrainian envoy Keith Kellogg.

Zelenskyy described the White House negotiations as “very serious” and tried to echo Trump by “through power” language with his trademark.

However, in recent days, Trump has exclaimed Kiev and the European capital by repeating some of the key points of Russian conversations.

He said on Sunday that Zelenskyy could end the war “almost immediately if he wants to”, but for Ukraine, Russia annexed “not back” Crimea in 2014, “not going to NATO.”

Russian expert Fiona Hill, former deputy assistant to the president, told Politico: “Trump has completely ceded narrative control Putin. Ukraine is basically just as a franchise, and the Russians stop fighting. This is the path Putin has been in his 25 years as a presidency, and that’s it: “I’m going to beat you, my concession is that I won’t beat you anymore.”