Trump and European Allies Push for Security Guarantees as Key to Ukrainian Peace Talks

In a critical meeting at the White House on Monday, European leaders expressed their support for U.S. President Donald Trump as he suggested that Ukraine might obtain security guarantees in a potential peace agreement with Russia. They indicated that this development could transform the security environment across Europe and might exert pressure on both Kyiv and Moscow to finalize conditions to end the conflict.

«President Putin has acknowledged that Russia would endorse security guarantees for Ukraine, which is a crucial matter we need to deliberate at the negotiation table,» Trump stated as he commenced discussions with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, following a recent meeting with Putin in Alaska.

«I believe that European nations will shoulder much of the responsibility. We’re here to assist them and ensure a robust level of security,» Trump remarked, surrounded by notable leaders including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and the heads of state from the UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Finland.

Each participant of the hastily arranged meeting commended Trump’s efforts to mediate an end to the war in Ukraine, while also emphasizing the necessity of security guarantees as the cornerstone of any agreement between Moscow and Kyiv.

«When we discuss security guarantees, we are addressing the overall security of the European continent, and that is why we are united with Ukraine on this issue,» French President Emmanuel Macron stated, underscoring European nations’ awareness of their duty to contribute adequately to such guarantees.

After each leader spoke, the session was closed to the media.

Earlier that day, Zelensky arrived at the White House, greeted warmly by Trump, who raised his fist in a triumphant gesture before shaking hands with the Ukrainian leader. When asked by reporters if he had any comments ahead of the discussions, Trump replied, «We love them.»

Before the multilateral talks, Zelensky and Trump had a private meeting and addressed the media in the Oval Office. During that discussion, Trump dismissed one of Ukraine’s primary requests—a focus on achieving an immediate ceasefire in current negotiations to end the war.

«I don’t believe a ceasefire is necessary,» Trump told reporters. «While it might be beneficial, I can understand why either side may resist it strategically. You implement a ceasefire, and they could rebuild their forces, which they may not want.»

The discussions involving Trump, Zelensky, and European officials took place just days after the American president’s brief summit with Putin in Alaska, where the Kremlin leader reportedly outlined his terms for a peace agreement with Ukraine.

While specific details of those requests remain undisclosed, various reports suggest that they could involve Kyiv relinquishing its claims to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine, potentially including territories not currently under Russian control.

Last week, Trump mentioned, «There will be some land exchanges occurring,» and he urged Ukraine to surrender the annexed Crimean peninsula and abandon its aspirations for NATO membership, both of which are significant demands from Putin.

Ukraine has consistently rejected the idea of transferring its territory to Russia as a prerequisite for peace, but officials at the White House hope that new concessions from Russia might encourage Kyiv to consider some form of agreement with Moscow.

Trump’s short-term aim now appears to be arranging a trilateral meeting involving himself, Putin, and Zelensky—something both U.S. and Ukrainian leaders have sought previously without success. Without immediate concessions from Ukraine, it is likely that Putin would again turn down such a meeting.

In the Oval Office on Monday, Trump announced his intention to call Putin directly after the multilateral discussions with Zelensky and European officials and indicated he would encourage both Russia and Ukraine to participate in a trilateral peace summit with the United States.

«If we don’t have a trilateral meeting, the fighting will persist,» Trump told the media. «I believe if we have that meeting, there’s a strong chance we could potentially end the war.»

On Sunday, in an interview with CNN, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff revealed that the U.S. and Russia had reached an agreement on a framework for security guarantees for Ukraine, which would signify a significant shift in Moscow’s acceptable conditions for resolving the conflict.

«We’ve come to an understanding that the United States and other European countries could effectively offer language akin to ‘Article 5’ for security guarantees,» Witkoff mentioned, citing NATO’s collective defense provision.

After the Alaska summit, Trump briefed Zelensky about his conversation with Putin during a one-hour phone call aboard Air Force One. Facing what is likely to be pressing demands from Moscow, Zelensky met privately with European allies dubbed the “coalition of the willing” over the weekend to prepare for his meeting with Trump.

Zelensky stated on Monday that he was committed to securing «a reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and all of Europe.»

«We recognize we shouldn’t expect Putin to willingly abandon aggression and further attempts at conquest. Hence, sustained pressure is imperative,» he wrote in a post on X shortly before his arrival at the White House. «Ukraine is prepared for a genuine truce and for establishing a new security architecture. We require peace.»