Zelensky arrives in Washington to meet Trump, seeks swift end to war

Ukrainian President Zelensky arrived in Washington for talks with Donald Trump, seeking a swift end to the war with Russia. The White House meeting precedes wider discussions with European leaders on security guarantees. The visit follows Trump’s Alaska summit with Putin, which failed to produce a ceasefire but raised hopes of progress.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Washington for a high-stakes meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, expressing hope for a “quick and reliable” end to the war with Russia. The bilateral talks are scheduled for Monday at the White House, followed by a multilateral session with European leaders.

The visit comes days after Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where the two discussed a potential peace framework but failed to announce a ceasefire. Zelensky, in a post on X, said Ukraine would not repeat past mistakes, referencing the loss of Crimea and parts of Donbas under broken security guarantees. He emphasized that Ukraine’s forces are making gains in Donetsk and Sumy, and vowed not to concede territory.

Trump’s administration has signaled readiness to offer Ukraine security guarantees short of NATO membership, an approach welcomed cautiously by Kyiv and its European allies. Leaders from the UK, France, Germany, NATO, and the European Commission are set to join discussions in Washington to chart a joint path toward peace while addressing fears of renewed Russian aggression.

This marks Zelensky’s return to the Oval Office after a tense February encounter with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, when the Ukrainian leader was publicly chastised for being “ungrateful” for U.S. aid. That bitter exchange raised doubts about Washington’s commitment to Kyiv and strained the personal dynamic between the two presidents.

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For Zelensky, the stakes are enormous. He aims to secure firm commitments from Trump and his allies while resisting pressure for concessions that could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty. For Trump, the meeting is a chance to demonstrate progress after his summit with Putin, even as skepticism lingers in Europe over Moscow’s intentions.