Zelenskiy Heads to Washington After Trump-Putin

Ukraine peace talks gained new urgency as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced he would travel to Washington on Monday. His visit follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which ended without progress on a ceasefire or a roadmap for ending the war.

Invitation from Trump

Zelenskiy revealed that Trump invited him during a phone call on Saturday that lasted more than 90 minutes. According to Zelenskiy, European and NATO officials joined the call after the first hour. He later wrote on social media that he would discuss “all details regarding ending the killing and the war” with Trump and expressed gratitude for the invitation.

The Ukrainian leader has long argued that a trilateral meeting between Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow is essential for finding a sustainable path to peace. Trump recently floated the idea, suggesting such a summit could take place if his meeting with Putin in Alaska produced results. That outcome, however, did not materialize.

No Breakthrough in Alaska

Trump and Putin met in Alaska on Friday, but the highly anticipated summit produced no agreement. Trump declared afterward that the best path forward was to aim directly for a peace deal rather than pressing for an immediate ceasefire. This position contrasted with Ukraine and its European allies, who insist that any negotiations must be preceded by a cessation of hostilities.

Putin, in his post-summit statement, remained firm on Moscow’s stance. He said peace could only come by addressing the “root causes” of the conflict and respecting Russia’s “legitimate concerns.” His comments suggested no shift from the maximalist demands that have defined Russia’s negotiating posture since the war began in February 2022.

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Ukrainian Reaction

Oleksandr Merezhko, head of Ukraine’s parliament foreign affairs committee, told Reuters that the outcome was unsurprising. “As we expected, nothing happened. No results, and everyone stands their ground,” he said. Merezhko criticized Trump for failing to move Putin but also warned that the Russian leader had gained a diplomatic victory by re-entering global forums after years of isolation.

He noted that Ukraine avoided the “worst-case scenario” of being pressured into massive concessions. Yet, the failure to secure progress keeps Kyiv vulnerable and uncertain about the next steps.

Trump’s Shifting Position

Trump’s approach to Moscow has fluctuated in recent months. After months of publicly criticizing Ukraine and its leadership, he toughened his rhetoric toward Russia. He warned Putin of severe sanctions if no peace agreement emerged. However, just as the sanctions deadline approached, Trump instead extended a diplomatic invitation, hosting Putin in Alaska with considerable ceremony.

After the summit yielded no breakthrough, Trump said sanctions were no longer an immediate priority. “We don’t need to think about that right now,” he told reporters. The softer line left allies questioning Washington’s strategy and raised concerns in Kyiv about U.S. reliability as a partner.

Zelenskiy’s Agenda in Washington

Zelenskiy emphasized that his upcoming talks with Trump will cover not only ending the war but also securing long-term safety guarantees for Ukraine. He has repeatedly underscored that any agreement must include robust security assurances to prevent future Russian aggression.

In his public statement, Zelenskiy noted “positive signals” from Washington about participating in such guarantees. This aligns with Ukraine’s long-standing demand for stronger Western commitments, whether through NATO membership or alternative defense pacts.

European Stake in Peace

European officials, who joined the call between Trump and Zelenskiy, are closely monitoring the developments. The European Union has backed Kyiv’s demand for a ceasefire as a prerequisite to talks and fears that Washington might push Ukraine into negotiations without sufficient safeguards.

NATO has also reinforced its support for Kyiv, recently approving additional military aid packages. Yet, member states remain divided over how to balance pressure on Moscow with the pursuit of dialogue.

A Critical Juncture

The war, now in its third year, continues to devastate Ukraine’s infrastructure and population. Efforts to mediate a ceasefire have repeatedly collapsed, while front-line clashes show little sign of easing. Zelenskiy’s trip to Washington represents another attempt to secure decisive U.S. backing and keep Ukraine’s interests central in any emerging framework for negotiations.

With Putin unyielding and Trump eager to showcase his dealmaking abilities, the coming talks in Washington could shape the next phase of diplomacy. For Kyiv, the priority remains clear: end the war, but not at the cost of sovereignty or security.