Could Trump and Zelensky's Meeting Pave the Way for Peace?

New York, Aug 18 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump greeted Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Monday in a warm environment, following a procession of European leaders who arrived to support him for discussions that could be crucial in bringing an end to the conflict with Russia.

During their meeting, Trump expressed optimism, stating: "If everything goes well today, we could have a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin — and I believe there’s a reasonable chance of concluding the war then."

This engagement came after Trump’s summit with Putin on Friday in Alaska.

"The entire world is weary of this conflict," he remarked, highlighting that both Putin and Zelensky desire an end to it.

Trump indicated his willingness to endorse a security guarantee for Ukraine involving some degree of US participation, although he maintained that an immediate ceasefire was not essential — a shift from his previous call for an immediate halt to hostilities.

"We will provide them with robust protection and security," he added.

The success of Trump’s peace initiative is also tied to the status of Ukrainian regions currently under Russian control, and during their discussions on Monday, they would need to outline a proposal for Putin.

Trump refrained from delving into specifics on Monday, although he had mentioned on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Ukraine might need to concede Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014 during Barack Obama’s presidency.

Russia aims to retain control over the Donetsk region, where a significant Russian ethnic minority resides, most of which it has taken over.

"We’re going to collaborate with Ukraine, with everyone involved, to ensure that if peace is established, it remains sustainable in the long run," he asserted.

"We're not aiming for a temporary peace that leads us back into turmoil after two years."

Trump took the opportunity to assert that he had halted the Operation Sindoor conflict between India and Pakistan, including it among the wars he has ended.

For a second time, he claimed to have ended a war that would have had severe implications, without mentioning the specific nations, simply stating, "You know who."

He emphasized that in the conflicts he resolved, there was no ceasefire but a direct transition to conclusion.

Even if his assertions regarding the India-Pakistan conflict were accepted, it only resulted in a "cessation of hostilities."

Before Zelensky’s arrival, European leaders, including France's President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, EU President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, were ceremonially welcomed at the White House.

Prior to arriving at the White House, they convened at the Ukraine Embassy with Zelensky for a last-minute strategic meeting.

They are scheduled to meet collectively with Trump and Zelensky following the bilateral discussions.

Trump embraced Zelensky warmly upon his exit from the limousine, shaking hands and briefly placing an arm around his shoulder.

They sidestepped questions from the media, except for one directed at Trump asking for his message to the Ukrainian populace, to which he responded, "We love them!"

This segment of the meeting was markedly different from their February encounter when Trump admonished Zelensky publicly, indicating he lacked the necessary leverage and could provoke World War III.

US Vice President J.D. Vance, who initiated critiques back in February regarding Zelensky’s gratitude toward the US, remained silent during this meeting.

US First Lady Melania Trump sent a letter to Putin on Sunday, urging him to end the conflict and protect the children.

Zelensky presented Trump with a letter from his wife to the First Lady.

As Trump glanced at it, Zelensky humorously remarked that it was intended for his wife, and Trump passed it on to an aide.