Zelensky has already arrived in Washington, and Trump will host him in the White House in the afternoon.
The US president met with Putin last week and it seems that since then he has changed the game a lot when it comes to the peace deal for Ukraine.
Follow all the details about the meeting of the century in Washington live on the"Blica" website.
Trump and Zelensky met
Trump and Zelensky met and a short press conference was held before the meeting with other European leaders.
Trump said he believed his talks with Putin were making"very significant progress," adding,"I think there's a possibility that something can come of it."
Zelensky thanked Trump for his efforts to stop the killings and war, and he also thanked Melania Trump for her letter to Putin telling him that it was"time" to protect children and future generations around the world.
Asked who was expected to end the war, Putin or Zelensky, Trump said:" If everything goes well today, we will have [a trilateral meeting with Putin]... I think we will have a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do."
When asked if he is ready to agree to "drawing new maps" (i.e. ceding territory to Russia), Zelensky pointed out that Russia continues its attacks ahead of today's talks and stressed the need to stop the war, to stop Russia - through diplomacy.
When asked if he was ready to send US peacekeepers to Ukraine as part of a peace deal, Trump said he would work with Ukraine and Russia to secure peace that would be long-term.
When asked if future security guarantees for Ukraine could include US troops, Trump did not rule it out.
"When it comes to security, there will be a lot of help... They are the first line of defense because they are there, in Europe, but we will also help them, we will be involved and."
When asked if Melania Trump sent a letter to Putin because he is an aggressor in this way, Trump evaded the answer by talking about his wife's love for children and her desire to see an end to the war.
He also claimed that the letter was"very well received" by Putin.
The journalist who last time criticized Zelensky for his clothes now said that the Ukrainian president looks"fantastic" in his suit, to which Trump added that he said the same.
Zelensky also joked that the journalist, who apologized to him, was wearing the same suit:"I changed, you didn't."
Trump says the US can try to negotiate an end to the war without a ceasefire.
Asked if there would still be"serious consequences" for Russia if a cease-fire is not agreed, Trump said:"I don't think a cease-fire is necessary."
He added that the ceasefire was "nice to have", but that he could understand why some countries might not want to accept it.
"We can work on a peace deal while they're fighting. They have to fight. I wish they could stop, I'd like them to stop, but strategically it can be disadvantageous for one side or the other."
When asked what kind of security guarantees he needs from Trump, Zelensky answers:"Everything."
He says he needs a strong Ukrainian army - weapons, training, equipment, intelligence.
And he emphasizes that he relies on the United States and its European allies.
Trump talked to Putin during the meeting with Zelensky?
Trump says he just spoke indirectly with Putin and will speak with him again after today's meetings,"and we may or may not have [a trilateral meeting]."
Green and European leaders arrived at the White House
European leaders and Zelensky have arrived at the White House and a meeting with Trump is expected to begin at any moment.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen were previously seen in front of the Ukrainian embassy.
German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron will also attend the meeting.
Zelenski announced just before entering the White House
In a post on social networks, which he shared shortly before entering the White House, he stated:
"Our main goal is reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe. It is important that the dynamics of all our meetings lead to exactly that result. We understand that we should not expect that Putin will voluntarily give up aggression and new attempts at conquest. That is why pressure must work, and it must be joint pressure - from the United States and Europe, and from everyone in the world who respects the right to life and international order.
We must stop the killings, and I thank our partners who are working to do so and, ultimately, to create a reliable and dignified peace. Together with the leaders of Finland, the United Kingdom, Italy, the European Commission and the Secretary General of NATO, we aligned our positions before the meeting with President Trump. Ukraine is ready for a real ceasefire and the establishment of a new security architecture. We need peace."
BBC: Zelensky arrived in Washington without fanfare, unlike Putin's reception in Alaska
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the American capital early this morning, without the ceremony and media attention that Russian President Vladimir Putin received only three days earlier when he arrived in Alaska, BBC reports.
Just three days ago US President Donald Trump personally greeted the Russian leader when he stepped off the plane onto the red carpet, fighter jets flew overhead, and the spectacle was broadcast live around the world.
In contrast, Zelenskiy's pre-dawn arrival in Washington appeared remarkably unremarkable, reports the British Public Service, noting that the Ukrainian president"is probably less concerned about the hype than whether the White House might sway to Putin's side" on how the war in Ukraine should end.
The BBC estimates that today's meeting with Trump is probably one of the most important in the political career of the Ukrainian leader, and his goal will be to convince the American president, who spoke positively about the meeting with Putin, that Kiev deserves American support more than Moscow.
Zelensky will meet with European leaders before meeting with Trump
Zelensky is currently at a preparatory meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, writes the BBC. The meeting is taking place at the Ukrainian embassy in Washington.
Keir Starmer, Ursula von der Leyen and Mark Rutte have already arrived there, and Friedrich Mertz, Giorgio Meloni and Emmanuel Macron are expected at any moment.
After that, everyone will head to the White House.
What does Trump want, and what does Zelensky and the Europeans want
Apparently, Trump will present the following peace plan to Zelensky this evening:
- Ukraine gives up the return of Crimea
- No entry into the NATO alliance
- The fate of Donbass hangs in the air
Considering that Kiev has been seeking to keep its entire territory and join NATO from the beginning, this is a big blow.
On the other hand, all that interests Zelenskyi and the Europeans are security guarantees for Ukraine, so it is uncertain how tonight's meeting will end.
New Trump ad: I'll finish it!
In another post, Trump told his critics"I know exactly what I'm doing," explaining that he was there "to stop the war."
- I know exactly what I'm doing and I don't need advice from people who have been working on all these conflicts for years and have never been able to do anything to stop them. They are STUPID people, with no common sense, intelligence or understanding, and they only make it harder to FIX the current disaster. Despite all my superficial and very jealous critics, I will finish the job — I always do!!! - concluded Trump.
Trump: If Russia said they were going to give us Moscow, you'd say it's humiliating
American President Donald Trump has just announced on his"Truth Social" network ahead of the meeting with Zelenski and the Europeans
- I am fully convinced that if Russia threw up its hands and said: "We give up, we admit, we surrender, we will give Ukraine and the great United States of America, the most respected and powerful of all countries ever, Moscow and St. Petersburg, and everything that surrounds them, the fake news media and their democratic partners would say that this was a bad and humiliating day for Donald Trump, one of the worst days in the history of the country. But that's why they are FAKE NEWS and terribly unsuccessful radical left Democrats - said Trump.
Zelensky met with Kellogg
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met today with the US Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg, before the meeting with US President Donald Trump and European leaders.
Vance will attend the bilateral meeting
US Vice President JD Vance will reportedly attend the meeting between Trump and Zelensky.
Ukraine wants security guarantees
Today's conversation between Trump and Zelensky must be focused on what kind of security guarantees Ukraine can get from the US and Europe, said Ina Sovsun, a member of the Ukrainian parliament.
Schedule of key meetings at the White House
According to the announced protocol, this is what a stormy day at the White House will look like:
- The arrival of the European leaders at the White House is scheduled for 12:00 local time, 18:00 Serbian time
- At around 13:00 local time, and 19:00 Serbian time, Trump will welcome Zelensky
- The bilateral meeting starts at 13:25 local time, 19:15 Serbian time
- Trump around 14:14, i.e. 20.15 greets European leaders
The White House asked if Zelensky would come in a suit
Ahead of a key meeting in Washington, The White House is wondering if Zelensky will come in a suit.
Washington has sent a question to Ukrainian officials whether the country's president Volodymyr Zelensky will come to the meeting with the American leader Donald Trump in a suit,"Axios" learned from two sources. Zelensky will reportedly wear the black jacket he wore to the NATO summit in The Hague, which is more formal.
Meloni arrived in Washington
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in Washington today, where in a few hours she will meet with US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders at the White House, reports ANSA.
Unseen footage from the meeting between Putin and Trump
US State Department head Marco Rubio praised Lavrov's outfit in the middle of a meeting in Alaska, presumably to lighten the mood.
- I like your shirt - Rubio said to Lavrov, and this was referring to the shirt with the inscription"USSR" in which Lavrov came to Alaska.
- Is that some kind of allusion? He will give you that shirt - added Putin.
Lavrov then explained to Putin what it was all about, and then Putin was heard saying:"Imperialist!".
Hungary and Ukraine clashed over an attack on a Russian oil pipeline
Ukraine's foreign minister clashed with his Hungarian counterpart on social media this morning after Hungary accused Ukraine of attacking a Russian oil pipeline.
- Ukraine again attacked the oil pipeline leading to Hungary, cutting off the supply. This latest attack on our energy security is scandalous and unacceptable - wrote the head of diplomacy of Hungary, Peter Szijártó.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiha told him to take his complaints to Moscow.
Zelensky: The Russians are humiliating us before the meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russian attacks on Ukraine's Kharkiv, Zaporizhia and Sumy regions, saying the Kremlin intended to"humiliate diplomatic efforts" just hours before European leaders visit the White House.
- The Russian war machine continues to destroy lives despite everything. That is exactly why we are asking for help to end the murders. That is why reliable security guarantees are needed. That is why Russia should not be rewarded - said Zelensky.
Negotiations between Putin, Trump and Zelensky are possible this week in Europe
Depending on how today's meeting at the White House will unfold,"Sky News" has learned that American colleagues have asked European diplomats to be ready for a trilateral meeting between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin later this week.
Both Zelensky and Trump are thought to prefer Rome, and especially the Vatican, but Putin prefers Geneva.
Both the Italian and Swiss foreign ministries insist the countries are ready to host talks, and EU diplomats are also evaluating other locations, including_:
Russian provocation: Ukrainians are attacked with the American and Russian flags on the tank
RT published a video showing the American M113 armored personnel carrier in the hands of the Russian army. According to RT, tank crews of the 70th Motorized Regiment provided their war correspondent with a video of a vehicle with Russian and American flags heading towards the battlefield near a village in the Zaporozhye region.
Finnish Prime Minister: The ceasefire and security guarantees will be discussed
Finnish Prime Minister Peteri Orpo stated that the ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine are the most important topics at the White House meeting.
Witkoff: Exchange of territory a key issue
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said that the exchange of territories between Russia and Ukraine is a"fundamental issue" that will be discussed at the meeting with Zelenskiy.
Putin's negotiator shared a provocative cartoon
Kirill Dmitriev, one of the key Russian negotiators, published a cartoon on the"X" network in which he commented on the attitude of the West towards Ukraine ahead of the announced international negotiations.
The picture shows the White House, while US President Donald Trump, with a kitchen knife in his hands, stands in front of a large coffin with a Ukrainian flag and whistles cheerfully as he sharpens the blade. In front of him is a bucket.
- Fake EU news promoting false narratives ahead of the big day - Dmitrijev wrote.
A baby and a boy are among the victims of the attack on Kharkiv
The number of victims in this morning's attack by Russian drones on Kharkov rose to five, including a one-year-old child, and 18 people were injured, said the mayor of that city, Ihor Terekhov.
Trump: Zelensky to give up Crimea and the NATO alliance
- Ukrainian President Zelensky can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants, or he can continue to fight. Remember how it started. No return of Crimea that Obama gave (12 years ago, without a shot fired!), and no Ukraine joining NATO. Some things never change - wrote Trump on social networks.
Zelensky: Russia must end this war
On the other hand, Zelensky says that the situation cannot be like that of 2014, when"Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea".
He said that Crimea"should not have been handed over then, just as the Ukrainians did not hand over Kiev, Odessa or Kharkiv after 2022", and that"Ukrainians are fighting for their country, for their independence" and that the country's soldiers "have success in the Donetsk and Sumy regions".
- I am convinced that we will defend Ukraine, effectively guarantee security and that our people will always be grateful to the president Trump , everyone in America and every partner and ally for their support and invaluable assistance. Russia must end this war, which she started herself. And I hope that our joint strength with America, with our European friends, will force Russia to real peace - said Zelenski.
Who all comes to the meeting with Trump
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
- President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni
- German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz
- Finnish President Alexander Stubb
- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
Zelensky and his allies will try to agree with Trump on concrete steps towards a peace agreement with Russia, after the negotiations in Alaska did not lead to an agreement on a truce.
