Trump and Zelenskyy Hold Cordial Oval Office Meeting on Ukraine
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Right-Leaning
Why: The framing emphasizes Trump’s role as a peacemaker, highlighting his promises of “very good protection” for Ukraine and his push for trilateral talks, while softening his walk-back on a ceasefire demand.
A Reset in Washington
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at the White House on Monday, striking a more positive tone compared to their tense February encounter. The sit-down comes as Trump seeks to push forward talks aimed at ending Russia’s war on Ukraine. Zelenskyy’s visit was bolstered by a group of European leaders who arrived in Washington after being excluded from Trump’s recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
The mood inside the Oval Office was markedly different from Zelenskyy’s last visit, when Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized him for not showing enough gratitude for U.S. aid. This time, both leaders exchanged smiles, with Zelenskyy thanking Trump for his direct efforts to resolve the conflict.
Trump Promises "Very Good Protection" for Ukraine
Trump said the U.S. would support Ukraine with security guarantees, though he did not offer specifics.
“We’re going to be discussing it today, but we will give them very good protection, very good security. That’s part of it,” Trump said.
Trump avoided endorsing comments by his envoy Steve Witkoff, who suggested Moscow had agreed to NATO-style “Article 5-like” protections for Ukraine. Article 5 is NATO’s principle of collective defense — an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. Trump stressed that European nations would remain the first line of defense but assured that the U.S. would also play a role.
Ceasefire Demand Softened
In a notable shift, Trump walked back his earlier insistence on an immediate ceasefire.
“I don’t think you need a ceasefire,” he said, acknowledging that while it could stop casualties, it might not align with either side’s military strategy. He added that he still favored the concept because “you’d stop killing people immediately.”
Push for Trilateral Talks With Putin
Trump expressed optimism about arranging a three-way meeting between himself, Zelenskyy, and Putin. He said such talks could be the key to achieving what he called a “lasting peace.” Zelenskyy signaled openness, saying Ukraine was “ready” for a trilateral discussion. Trump emphasized that U.S. support would not vanish even if no agreement was reached, stating, “It’s never the end of the road.”
Trump to Call Putin After Talks
Trump confirmed he would call Putin following his White House meetings with Zelenskyy and European leaders.
“We’re going to have a phone call right after these meetings today, and we may or may not have a trilat,” Trump said.“If we do, we have a good chance of maybe ending it. If we don’t, then the fighting continues.”
Trump added that Putin was expecting his call as soon as the Oval Office discussions concluded.
Big Picture
The meeting signals a clear shift from Trump’s earlier confrontational approach with Zelenskyy.
The lack of specifics on U.S. security commitments leaves questions about what “very good protection” will mean in practice.
Trump’s softened stance on a ceasefire reflects a strategic adjustment as he seeks to balance Ukraine’s conditions with negotiations involving Russia.
The push for trilateral talks underscores Trump’s desire to position himself as the central broker in ending the war.
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