On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump convened a meeting at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders from seven European nations to discuss a path to ending the war in Ukraine. The gathering, though hastily arranged, offered several key takeaways.
A Change in Tone, but Not in Substance
The meeting was marked by a significantly warmer tone compared to the contentious encounter in February. Zelenskyy adjusted his approach, wearing a black jacket that split the difference between military and formal attire and repeatedly expressing gratitude to Trump. This time, U.S. Vice President JD Vance remained largely silent. Trump, in turn, was highly complimentary of the Ukrainian leader.
Despite the positive atmosphere, there was no immediate sign of a substantial shift in the positions of any of the parties. No new agreements were reached on key issues like territorial disputes, security guarantees, or sanctions. Instead, the meeting concluded with Trump promising to arrange a future meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to address the unresolved issues.
Key Points of Discussion
- Gratitude: Zelenskyy made a point of expressing his thanks, with his opening remarks including eight separate “thank you” statements, primarily directed at Trump and the US First Lady. This was a clear departure from the February meeting, where Vice President Vance had publicly criticized Zelenskyy for a perceived lack of gratitude.
- Dress Code: Zelenskyy’s choice of “combat formal” attire—a black jacket without a tie—was a deliberate departure from the military fatigues he wore in February, which had reportedly upset Trump. This sartorial choice seemed to pass the “fashion test,” with Trump commenting that the Ukrainian leader looked “fabulous.”
- Ceasefire Disagreement: A key point of policy disagreement emerged when German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that a ceasefire should be a prerequisite for any further meetings with Putin. This contradicted Trump’s recent shift away from a ceasefire-first approach, which was adopted after his meeting with Putin in Alaska. Trump argued that he has solved many conflicts without a prior ceasefire.
- Security Guarantees: A major point of mystery was the nature of the security guarantees the U.S. would provide. Trump has previously ruled out committing “boots on the ground” but, when asked directly, he did not rule out U.S. troops in Ukraine. He was vague, stating only that Europe was the “first line of defense” but the U.S. would be “involved,” and he teased a possible announcement later.
What’s Next?
Trump stated that he would contact Putin to set up a trilateral meeting with Zelenskyy at an undetermined time and location. While the leaders agreed this was a logical next step, the path forward remains complex. Russia has a history of delaying or obstructing high-level meetings, and the gap between the Russian and Ukrainian positions remains vast, with Russia’s demands for territorial concessions and a ban on NATO troops in Ukraine being major sticking points.
