Login to Continue Learning
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump and other world leaders following Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Zelensky has also confirmed that he will meet with Trump in Washington on Monday, marking his first visit to the U.S. since February 28, when Trump publicly berated him during an Oval Office meeting.
### Why It Matters
Trump and Putin met in Alaska to discuss bringing an end to Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. The White House stated that Putin initiated the request for a meeting, but Zelensky was not invited. This raised questions about U.S. support for Ukraine amid ongoing hostilities. A face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and Trump could provide an opportunity for Zelensky to press for security and military commitments directly from Trump, while signaling where U.S. policy may be headed. The meeting could shape not only the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations but also the broader balance of power between the West and Russia.
### What To Know
Writing on Telegram, Zelensky said he spoke with Trump for about an hour before European leaders joined for another half-hour. He stated that they support President Trump’s proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia. Ukraine emphasizes that key issues can be discussed at the leader level, making the trilateral format suitable.
“I am going to discuss all the details after the killings, after the war, with President Trump in Washington on Monday,” Zelensky wrote. “I am grateful for the invitation.”
### What Happens Next
Zelensky is scheduled to travel to Washington on Monday for talks with Trump. The possibility of a trilateral meeting between Zelensky, Trump, and Putin remains uncertain.
European leaders have called for further talks that include Zelensky, emphasizing ironclad security guarantees for Ukraine. Starmer and Macron praised the U.S.’s openness in providing robust security guarantees to Ukraine as part of any deal.
