“You have to know that we’re going to make a deal, I’m not going to be wasting my time,” Trump told reporters in Doha.

The announcement came during a summit at the White House, where Trump hosted Zelenskyy alongside European leaders. This meeting occurred two days after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and followed a prior Oval Office encounter months ago in which Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly criticised Zelenskyy.

While no agreement appears imminent, both Trump and Zelenskyy said they hoped Monday’s summit would lay the groundwork for trilateral discussions with Putin. The Russian government has not publicly accepted the idea of such talks. Russian forces continue to advance gradually in eastern Ukraine, and it remains uncertain whether President Putin is prepared to meet with Zelenskyy or offer any concessions.

European leaders who attended the Washington meeting advocated for a ceasefire before negotiations could move forward. Trump had previously supported this position but changed course following his meeting with Putin on Friday, expressing support for Moscow’s view that a peace agreement should be comprehensive.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he liked the idea of a ceasefire but believed talks could proceed even while the conflict continued.

“I wish they could stop, I’d like them to stop,” he said. “But strategically that could be a disadvantage for one side or the other.”

Later in the day, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron both voiced support for a ceasefire as a precondition to direct talks with Russia.

“I can’t imagine that the next meeting would take place without a ceasefire,” said Merz. “So let’s work on that and let’s try to put pressure on Russia.”

Macron added that European involvement would be necessary in future negotiations.
“When we speak about security guarantees, we speak about the whole security of the European continent,” he told Trump.

Trump, who said he believes Putin wants to end the war, stated that he had spoken with the Russian president earlier that day and would follow up with another call after the summit.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that Moscow does not consider the deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine a viable solution to the conflict.

Tone Shifts from Previous Meeting

This meeting marked a significant change in tone from the pair’s last Oval Office meeting in February, when Trump and Vance publicly upbraided Zelenskyy for what they described as a lack of gratitude. In contrast, Monday’s meeting appeared more cordial, even as Trump has moved closer to Russia’s position in recent days. Zelenskyy expressed thanks at least eight times during his opening remarks.

The Ukrainian leader was joined in Washington by representatives from Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union, and NATO, who came to demonstrate their support for Ukraine and to advocate for strong post-war security guarantees.

Trump welcomed Zelenskyy outside the White House and commented on his attire, noting the departure from Zelenskyy’s usual military clothing.

When a reporter asked Trump what his message was to the people of Ukraine, he said, “We love them.” Zelenskyy thanked him, and Trump placed a hand on Zelenskyy’s back before the two entered the Oval Office.

After their private meeting, the leaders held broader discussions with their European counterparts.

Zelenskyy described the one-on-one with Trump as “very good” and said they discussed Ukraine’s desire for formal security guarantees.

“This is very important, that the United States gives such a strong signal and is ready for security guarantees,”Zelenskyy said.

Trump told reporters:
“When it comes to security, there’s going to be a lot of help,” adding, “They are a first line of defence because they’re there, but we’ll help them out.”

Ongoing Attacks and Diplomatic Manoeuvring

Trump has been advocating for a swift resolution to the conflict, which has become Europe’s deadliest war in eight decades. Ukrainian officials and Western allies have expressed concern that Trump could push for a resolution aligned with Russian interests, especially after Friday’s meeting with Putin, who remains wanted by the International Criminal Court.

On the day of the summit, Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities resulted in at least 10 civilian deaths. Zelenskyy called the attacks a “cynical” effort to undermine diplomatic progress.

Trump dismissed claims that his meeting with Putin had been overly accommodating.

“I know exactly what I’m doing, and I don’t need the advice of people who have been working on all of these conflicts for years, and were never able to do a thing to stop them,” he wrote on social media.

Trump’s team has said that any agreement would involve compromises from both parties. However, the president has publicly stated that Ukraine may need to drop ambitions to reclaim Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, and withdraw its NATO membership bid.

Zelenskyy has rejected the outlines of Russia’s Alaska proposals, which include conceding parts of eastern Donetsk still under Russian control. Ukrainian officials have stated that any agreement to give up territory would need approval via national referendum.

The war has caused more than a million casualties, with thousands of Ukrainian civilians killed and significant infrastructure damage across the country.

Officials in Ukraine said a drone strike in Kharkiv killed seven people, including a toddler and her 16-year-old brother. In Zaporizhzhia, three more people were reported dead following missile strikes. Ukraine’s military also claimed it hit a Russian oil facility in the Tambov region, disrupting operations on the Druzhba pipeline.

The summit, held in Anchorage, marked Trump’s latest attempt to broker a peace initiative in the protracted conflict that has gripped Eastern Europe for over four years. But no concrete commitments were announced, and neither side offered specifics on what had been discussed.

Muted Media Appearance

Appearing briefly before the media following the meeting, Trump and Putin gave short remarks and took no questions  an unusual departure for Trump, who is typically eager to engage with reporters. He ignored shouted questions as the two leaders exited the room, leaving many in the press corps frustrated and international observers guessing.

“We made progress,” Trump said, without elaborating. Putin echoed the sentiment, saying, “Our dialogue was open and constructive.”

No Ukraine Breakthrough

The lack of a clear path forward on Ukraine comes as fighting continues on the ground and international pressure mounts for a ceasefire. Officials on both sides have indicated that back-channel discussions will continue and that a possible follow-up meeting involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is being considered.

Trump, speaking later  suggested that momentum is building for a three-way summit with Putin and Zelensky, placing the next steps in Ukraine’s hands.

“Now it’s really up to President Zelensky to get it done,” Trump said, adding that plans for such a meeting were being developed.

Global Eyes Watching

With geopolitical tensions at a high and NATO allies closely monitoring developments, the outcome of Friday’s summit leaves uncertainty hanging over peace prospects. While the leaders’ tone was measured and diplomatic, analysts note the absence of tangible outcomes may prolong instability on the European continent.

Still, Trump remained upbeat:

“I think we have a pretty good chance of getting it done,” he said. “We got along great. I’d rate it a 10 out of 10.”

As the world waits for the next move, focus now shifts to whether Ukraine and Russia will agree to direct talks, and what role Trump may play in facilitating a deal.

Trump said his goal was to get the two sides to start a negotiation, with any territorial swaps to be addressed then. “They’ll be discussed, but I’ve got to let Ukraine make that decision, and I think they’ll make a proper decision. But I’m not here to negotiate for Ukraine, I’m here to get them at a table,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

His remarks may provide reassurance to Ukraine, which is concerned that U.S.-Russia talks could freeze the conflict in a way unfavourable to Kyiv.

Trump suggested that the Russian offensive in Ukraine is likely designed to strengthen Putin’s position in any negotiations to end the war. “I think they’re trying to negotiate. He’s trying to set a stage. In his mind that helps him make a better deal. It actually hurts him, but in his mind that helps him make a better deal if they can continue the killing,” he said.

The president expressed optimism that his meeting with Putin would yield results, considering the stakes involved and the weakness of the Russian economy. “He’s a smart guy, been doing it for a long time but so have I … we get along, there’s a good respect level on both sides, and I think, you know, something’s going to come of it,” he said.

Trump also welcomed the fact that Putin was bringing business executives from Russia but stressed that no agreements would be made until the war is resolved. “I like that ’cause they want to do business, but they’re not doing business until we get the war settled,” he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking with European leaders on Thursday, stressed the importance of Europe being directly involved in any peace negotiations. European governments are seen as more sympathetic to Kyiv’s position, especially given Trump’s earlier criticisms of Ukraine’s leadership.

Trump has set a deadline for Friday, warning of new sanctions on Russia and its trading partners if an agreement to halt the war isn’t reached. “It’s going to be up to him,” Trump said when asked if the deadline for a ceasefire still stood. “We’re going to see what he has to say.”

In the lead-up to the deadline, Trump raised tariffs on India for importing Russian oil and signalled that similar measures could be imposed on China, another major buyer of Russian energy. It’s unclear whether more steps will be announced once the deadline passes.

A senior Russian official confirmed that both sides had agreed to hold a Trump-Putin summit “in the coming days.” The announcement followed a three-hour meeting in Moscow between Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Putin.

Putin suggested the United Arab Emirates as a suitable venue for the meeting, although no final decision on the location has been publicly disclosed.

This would be the first in-person summit between American and Russian leaders since Putin met with Joe Biden in Geneva in 2021.

The war in Ukraine began in February 2022, with Russia citing national security concerns. Ukraine and its allies have consistently described the invasion as an illegal occupation and an attempt to seize territory by force.

Trump has taken a more flexible approach to Russia than his predecessor, pushing for a negotiated end to the conflict while oscillating between admiration for Putin and sharp criticism.

Financial markets responded positively to the news of the potential summit. Russia’s MOEX stock index rose by up to 5%, hitting a two-month high. The ruble also gained ground against both the U.S. dollar and the Chinese yuan. Analysts suggested that investors see the meeting as a potential step toward stabilising global tensions.

A senior U.S. official indicated that the Trump-Putin summit could happen as early as next week. Reports also suggest that Trump informed European leaders of his intention to follow the meeting with a potential trilateral involving Putin and Zelenskiy.

Ukrainian and European leaders remain concerned that Trump, who has expressed sympathy for some of Russia’s demands, could pressure Kyiv into accepting a peace deal unfavourable to Ukraine. Sources familiar with recent talks say Witkoff participated in a call between Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders and shared a list of proposals that Moscow might be open to.

Zelenskyy later spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, underscoring that Europe must have a role in the negotiations.

“This war is taking place in Europe. Ukraine is part of Europe and already engaged in EU accession talks. Europe must be a full participant in the peace process,” Zelenskyy said on social media.

He called for a “dignified peace” that ensures long-term security across the continent. However, he noted that Russia had not yet signalled any real willingness to agree to a ceasefire.

Mykola Bielieskov, an analyst at Ukraine’s National Institute for Strategic Studies, criticised the plan to hold a summit with Putin, saying it gives Russia legitimacy without requiring any real concessions. He warned that Moscow could exploit the meeting to appear open to diplomacy while continuing its war strategy.

Zelenskyy confirmed that both bilateral and trilateral meeting formats had been discussed with Trump. “Ukraine is not afraid of dialogue. We expect the same courage from the Russian side,” he said.

Russian officials said that the idea of a three-way summit involving Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy was raised by the American side, but Moscow did not respond directly to the suggestion. Putin stated that he is open to speaking with Zelenskyy in principle, but that the conditions for such a meeting are not currently in place.

Trump clarified that his meeting with Putin is not contingent on whether the Russian president agrees to meet with Zelenskiy.

Relations between the U.S. and Russia, which had deteriorated sharply under the previous administration, have shown signs of thawing under Trump, with discussions of renewed commercial ties.

Following the Moscow talks, a prominent Russian political commentator said Putin had “successfully drawn Trump into extended negotiations,” portraying it as a diplomatic win for Moscow.

Meanwhile, public opinion in Ukraine remains skeptical. “I don’t expect anything positive,” said Mykhailo Kryshtal, a 55-year-old Kyiv resident. “Putin has plenty of people willing to die for his ideas. These are just more games.”