From The Center Square
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Russia and Ukraine appear to be inching closer to peace, as the two leaders are set to meet after rounds of meetings between President Donald Trump and the two Eastern European presidents.
The announcement follows historic meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump and several European leaders at the White House Monday afternoon, and three days after Trump’s “successful” meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Trump and Zelenskyy were joined in talks at the White House by President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Alexander Stubb of Finland, Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom, Chancellor Friedrick Merz of Germany, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
The president indicated that Putin and Zelenskyy have agreed to meet, with multiple reports claiming the meeting will take place within a couple of weeks.
“At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy. After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself. Again, this was a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, are coordinating with Russia and Ukraine,” Trump posted to his Truth Social.
The European leaders underscored the need for security guarantees for Ukraine.
“During the meeting we discussed Security Guarantees for Ukraine, which Guarantees would be provided by the various European Countries, with a coordination with the United States of America. Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine,” Trump wrote.
Rutte said security guarantees are “vital” to longstanding peace in the region.
“[Thirty] nations, including Japan and Australia are working on security guarantees for Ukraine. The U.S. is now stepping in. These guarantees are vital to ensure Putin never tries to invade again,” the secretary general told Laura Ingraham on The Ingraham Angle.
Rutte added that NATO membership for Ukraine is not on the table, which Trump opposes.
Trump once again emphasized his desire for the two nations to strike a peace agreement rather than settle for a ceasefire.
“All of us would obviously prefer an immediate ceasefire while we work on a lasting peace… President Zelensky and President Putin can talk a little bit more about that… But I believe a peace agreement at the end of all of this is something that’s very attainable,” the U.S. president said.
Trump made similar comments Friday evening after his meeting with Putin.
“It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere ceasefire agreement, which often times do not hold up,” Trump posted on social media.
A meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy would mark a major milestone in the war that began more than three years ago when Russia invaded Ukraine.
