Trump suggests that the United States will be involved in Ukraine's security.
The case is being updated.
A suit-clad Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US President Donald Trump outside the White House. They waved and smiled at the press corps, then disappeared inside.
Zelensky began by handing over a letter from his wife to Trump's wife Melania. The letter was said to be a letter of thanks to Trump's wife for her efforts on behalf of Ukraine's children.
"We're going to have a lasting peace. I hope it happens immediately," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
Did not rule out US soldiers in Ukraine
In the Oval Office, Trump told the press that Russia will not allow Ukraine to join NATO, but clarified that the United States will provide them (Ukraine) with good protection.
When asked about possible US security guarantees for Ukraine, Trump said that this will be a topic of discussion with the seven major leaders from Europe who have come to Washington to participate in the meetings.
The president did not rule out sending American troops to Ukraine, as part of a security guarantee the United States will provide to Ukraine along with European countries if an agreement with Russia is reached.
– In terms of security, there's going to be a lot of help. It's going to be good. They're the first line of defense because they're there. They're Europe. But we're going to help them too. We're going to be involved, Trump said.
Trump: - I love the Russian people
Zelensky, for his part, was clear that Ukraine is dependent on continued weapons support from the United States.
– It will be important also for security guarantees, to strengthen our own army. We need it very much, he said.
Zelenskyy said before the summit that Ukraine understands that it should not expect Putin to voluntarily stop the aggression and new attempts at conquest.
– Therefore, the pressure must work, and there must be joint pressure from the United States and Europe, he said.
The US president confirmed that he will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin after the meetings on Monday.
Trump says he, Zelensky and Putin may, may not, have a trilateral meeting following today's meetings.
– I love the Ukrainian people. But I love all people. I love the Russian people. I want to stop the war, Trump said.
Had to take the back way in
Before the meetings began on Monday, Trump said that never before have we had so many European leaders here at once. A great honor for America.
Only Volodymyr Zelensky was welcomed by Trump in the West Wing of the White House. All other European heads of state and government are being driven around to the south side of the presidential residence.
This included French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
European leaders have been clear that their and Ukraine's security interests must be safeguarded in the peace negotiations between the United States and Russia.
“Together with the United States, the EU will continue to work towards a lasting peace that safeguards Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests,” EU President Antonio Costa wrote on Monday.
On Tuesday, he called 27 heads of state and government to a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the meeting in Washington on Monday.
The evening's conversations last well into the evening.
At 8 p.m., Trump is scheduled to give a greeting to European leaders, before participating in a multilateral meeting with European leaders at 9 p.m.
