Zelensky to meet Trump in Washington on Monday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Saturday that he will travel to Washington on Monday for high-level discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump focused on “ending the killing and the war.” The planned summit comes just days after Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which ended without any breakthrough on a ceasefire.

Key Points from Trump-Zelensky Call

Zelensky revealed that his decision followed a lengthy phone call with Trump, during which the U.S. leader briefed him on the “main points” of his talks with Putin. What began as a direct one-on-one exchange eventually expanded to include European leaders, signaling the importance of broader transatlantic coordination.

“I am grateful for the invitation,” Zelensky said, emphasizing his readiness to work with Washington on concrete steps toward peace. He noted that the upcoming face-to-face meeting would be an opportunity to dive into “all of the details” surrounding efforts to bring the conflict to an end.

Diplomatic Context and European Involvement

The Washington meeting will take place only three days after Trump and Putin concluded their Alaska summit without announcing progress toward halting Moscow’s invasion, now in its fourth year. In response, Zelensky has urged that European allies remain engaged “at every stage” of negotiations, underscoring that Ukraine’s future cannot be decided without its key partners at the table.

Kyiv has consistently pushed for a trilateral summit involving Trump, Putin, and Zelensky. While the U.S. and Ukraine have supported the idea, the Kremlin has resisted, preferring bilateral channels. Zelensky reiterated on Saturday that “key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders” and insisted that a trilateral framework would be the most effective way to address the war.

What This Means for Peace Talks

Zelensky’s Washington visit marks the latest attempt to secure international backing and maintain momentum for peace efforts, even as Russia shows little willingness to compromise. For Ukraine, ensuring that both the U.S. and European partners remain central to talks is critical, as Kyiv seeks not just a ceasefire but a durable path to ending the conflict.

The outcome of Monday’s meeting could shape the next phase of diplomatic engagement—whether through a trilateral summit or a continued series of bilateral negotiations. For now, expectations remain cautious, but the visit signals Ukraine’s determination to stay at the forefront of shaping its own future.