The White House is buzzing with activity as President Donald Trump prepares to host a major gathering of European leaders alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The focus is squarely on ending the deadly Russia-Ukraine war, with world leaders hoping to push for an immediate ceasefire.
Joining Zelensky in Washington D.C. are UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The meeting marks a high-profile moment for Trump, coming months after a tense Oval Office confrontation with Zelensky that ended with the Ukrainian leader abruptly leaving the White House.
Trump Fires Back at Criticism
Ahead of the meeting, Trump used Truth Social to fire back at media outlets calling the event a “big loss.”
In a series of posts, the president insisted that hosting world leaders is “a great honor for America” and defended his recent high-stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
That meeting, intended to lay groundwork for a peace deal, ended without a ceasefire and only a tentative framework for negotiations.
Trump also stirred confusion among supporters with a cryptic one-word post, “bela,” sparking speculation about his intentions ahead of the diplomatic day.
Zelensky and the White House Protocol
As the White House prepares for the arrivals, officials reportedly requested that President Zelensky wear a suit for the Oval Office meeting.
This comes after his previous appearance, where his choice of attire drew attention during the controversial June meeting at a NATO summit.
Zelensky is expected to arrive later today, adhering to the requested dress code.
Alaska Summit Fallout and Russian Security Guarantees
Last week’s Alaska summit between Trump and Putin set the stage for today’s discussions.
Trump claimed he made “some headway” in talks with the Russian leader, though no formal agreement was reached.
Steve Witkoff, a key U.S. envoy, told CNN that Putin agreed to “robust security guarantees” for Ukraine, describing them as “game-changing.”
The guarantees reportedly include a legislative promise not to invade Ukraine or other European nations if all parties sign a peace deal.
However, these pledges were not confirmed publicly by the Russian delegation after the summit.
Observers also noted that Putin’s insistence on territorial concessions in Ukraine has unsettled Trump’s team, raising questions about how Zelensky will respond during today’s high-pressure discussions.
Putin Signals Desire for Peace
During the joint press conference in Alaska, Putin emphasized that Ukraine’s security must be ensured and expressed willingness to work toward ending the war.
He suggested that his rapport with Trump could help pave the way for peace, signaling that both leaders are attempting to keep momentum alive despite the high tensions.
Flashback: The February Showdown
Today’s meeting is especially significant given the dramatic February encounter between Trump and Zelensky, which ended with the Ukrainian president being effectively “kicked out” of the Oval Office.
That explosive confrontation left many questions about Ukraine’s future unanswered and cast a shadow over ongoing peace efforts.
What Lies Ahead
Trump has framed today’s White House talks as a crucial step toward a peace agreement, noting that although the Alaska summit did not achieve a final deal, it opened the door to further progress.
With Zelensky and European leaders present, Washington is poised for a tense and high-stakes negotiation, one that could shape the trajectory of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in the months ahead.
