Two sessions were held, beginning with a one-on-one between Trump and Zelenskyy, followed by wider talks including NATO and European leaders and the presidents of five NATO nations. Trump said if progress is made, a trilateral meeting with Russia could follow.
“I think if everything works out well today, we’ll have a trilat and I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that,” Trump said. “And we want to get it ended. And we want it to end [well] for everybody … the people of Ukraine have suffered incredibly.”
The discussions followed Trump’s 15 August meeting in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “The Alaska summit reinforced my belief that while difficult, peace is within reach, and I believe that is a very significant step. President Putin agreed that Russia would accept security guarantees for Ukraine, and this is one of the key points that we need to consider, and we’re going to be considering that at the table,” Trump said.
The president said he was confident that the United States and European partners could agree measures to deter further aggression against Ukraine. “I actually think there won’t be [future aggression against Ukraine],” he said. “But we’re going to find out, and I think that the European nations are going to take a lot of the burden. We’re going to help them, and we’re going to make it very secure.”
Trump noted that negotiations would need to include “possible exchanges of territory, taking into consideration the current line of contact — that means the war zone … to look at them and negotiating positions.” He emphasised the importance of a lasting peace agreement.
“We’re going to make sure that if there’s peace, the peace is going to stay long term,” Trump said. “This is very long term. We’re not talking about a two-year peace, and then we end up in this mess again. We’re going to make sure that everything’s good. We’ll work with Russia. We’re going to work with Ukraine. We’re going to make sure it works. And I think if we can get to peace, it’s going to work. I have no doubt about it.”
European leaders were reported by Trump to support a security protection deal for Ukraine, with US involvement. “When it comes to security, there’s going to be a lot of help … they are the first line of defense, because they’re there — they’re Europe,” Trump said. “But we’re going to help them out also. We’ll be involved.”
The broader meeting brought together NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Trump confirmed he had spoken with Putin before today’s discussions and planned another call afterwards. “We’re going to have a phone call right after these meetings today, and we may or may not have a trilat,” he said. “If we don’t have a trilat, then the fighting continues. And if we do, we have a good chance, I think if we have a trilat, there’s a good chance of maybe ending [the war].”
The president said he could not predict when the conflict would end but stressed there was desire for peace on both sides. “When it ends, I can’t tell you,” Trump said. “But the war is going to end. And this gentleman [Zelenskyy] wants it to end, and Vladimir Putin wants it to end. I think the whole world is tired of it, and we’re going to get it ended.”
Ultimately, Trump said, decisions must be taken by the parties directly involved. “I have a feeling you [Zelenskyy] and President Putin are going to work something out,” he said. “Ultimately, this is a decision that can only be made by President Zelenskyy and by the people of Ukraine working also together and in agreement with President Putin.”
The president added that if the conditions were right for a direct meeting between the two leaders, which he would be prepared to attend, “very good things are going to come of it.”
Source: United States Department of Defense.
