Putin, security guarantees and a hot mic: Zelenskyy's suit diplomacy woos Trump; trilateral talks soon

Time of India

a day ago

US President Donald Trump's White House meeting with Ukrainian counterpart
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
and top European leaders gave the clearest sign yet of a potential path to peace talks betwen war-torn Ukraine and sanction-laden Russia.
The Oval Office encounter marked a sharp departure from their strained February meeting, when Trump and Vice President JD Vance openly criticised Zelenskyy. This time, there were more smiles, warmer words and discussions about security guarantees for Kyiv.
The talks came just days after Trump's Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir
Putin
, which failed to deliver a ceasefire but left the US leader convinced Moscow wanted a deal.
Trump even phoned Putin after Monday's session to brief him directly, and later revealed that arrangements had begun for a Zelenskyy-Putin meeting.
The summit also offered moments of levity, with Zelenskyy dressed in formal attire, a charm offensive directed at Trump, and even a hot mic capturing the US President's private views on Putin. But behind the pleasantries, difficult questions remained: How to guarantee Ukraine's security, whether a ceasefire is essential, and what compromises – if any – should be made on territory.
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Here are ten key takeaways from the Trump-Zelenskyy and EU leaders' meeting:
Trump signals support for security guarantees
A central theme was Trump's openness to backing European-led security guarantees for Ukraine, even while ruling out Nato membership. 'European countries want to give protection and they feel very strongly about it and we'll help them out with that,' Trump said. Zelenskyy welcomed the message, calling it 'such (a) strong signal.' While no details were finalised, the discussion ranged from large-scale peacekeeping deployments to smaller 'tripwire' or observer forces.
Trump has not committed US troops, but he left the door open. European leaders stressed that guarantees must deter future Russian aggression, with Macron warning they are about 'the whole security of the European continent.'
Europeans heap praise but note tough road ahead
European leaders sought to show unity, flanking Trump with praise while signalling that complex negotiations lay ahead. Nato chief Mark Rutte addressed Trump as 'dear Donald' and later called him 'amazing' on Fox News.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed 'real progress' and a 'real sense of unity.' But German Chancellor Friedrich Merz struck a cautionary tone, saying 'the path is open now' though next steps were 'more complicated.
' Ursula von der Leyen insisted that talks must aim for a 'just and lasting peace.' Trump himself was noncommittal, remarking: 'If we can do the ceasefire, great,' but quickly aligning with Putin's view that peace, not a ceasefire, should be the priority.
A different reception for Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy's latest Oval Office appearance stood in stark contrast to February, when Trump and Vance scolded him for ingratitude and even mocked his attire. This time, Ukraine's President arrived in a black suit and shirt, prompting right-wing reporter Brian Glenn to tell him: 'You look fabulous.' Trump immediately chimed in: 'I said the same thing!' Zelenskyy deflected with humour, joking to Glenn: 'You are in the same suit.
I changed. You did not.' The mood was lighter, with both presidents clasping their hands calmly as they fielded questions. Zelenskyy also expressed repeated gratitude, even thanking First Lady Melania Trump for sending Putin a letter about the war's toll on children.
Putin's shadow over the talks
Even as European leaders pressed their case, Putin loomed large in Trump's remarks. The US President repeatedly said the Russian leader 'wants it to end' and spoke about updating him on progress.
At one point, Trump phoned Putin directly after the meeting, holding a 40-minute call. German Chancellor Merz compared Russia's demand that Ukraine cede Donbas territory to the US giving up Florida. Still, Trump suggested Putin was open to 'security guarantees,' with envoy Steve Witkoff claiming Moscow could accept Nato-style protections for Kyiv.
Macron reinforced the message, insisting that 'security guarantees' meant safeguarding the entire European continent.
Trump hints at rapid resolution
Trump, who during his presidential campaign claimed that he could end the war 'in a day,' tempered but still played up expectations. 'A week or two weeks, we'll know whether we're going to solve this, or if this horrible fighting is going to continue,' he said. He insisted the issues were not 'overly complex,' though they include territory, Ukraine's future military capacity and enduring security guarantees. Outside the White House, Zelenskyy admitted no date had been set for a Putin meeting but that Trump was pressing for it 'as soon as possible.
' He added that questions of land concessions would be left to 'between me and Putin.'
Plans for a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting
Trump announced he was arranging a face-to-face between Putin and Zelenskyy, to be followed by a trilateral summit including himself. On Truth Social, he wrote: 'Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine.' Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov later said Putin and Trump had spoken 'in favour' of continuing direct talks, though no location was confirmed.
Zelenskyy told reporters he was 'ready' for such a meeting, while Macron floated the idea of expanding it to include top European leaders.
If confirmed, it would mark the first encounter between Putin and Zelenskyy since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
Hot mic reveals Trump's private thoughts
Before the formal talks began, Trump was caught on a hot mic with Macron. Whispering in the East Room, he said of Putin: 'I think he wants to make a deal. I think he wants to make a deal for me, you understand that? As crazy as it sounds.'
The remark underscored Trump's belief that Putin views him as a unique broker for peace. Trump also mentioned setting up a trilateral meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy, echoing what he would later announce publicly.
The candid aside highlighted the unusual role Trump sees for himself — both as mediator and as the dealmaker Putin allegedly prefers.
Ceasefire debate divides leaders
One of the sharpest divides emerged over whether a ceasefire is a prerequisite for negotiations.
Trump downplayed its necessity, saying: 'I don't know that it's necessary.' That aligned with Putin's view but clashed with European leaders. Merz was blunt: 'I can't imagine that the next meeting would take place without a ceasefire.' He pressed for more pressure on Russia, while Macron and others echoed calls for de-escalation.
Zelenskyy, notably, did not repeat his earlier demands for a ceasefire, instead leaving the matter open.
The question now threatens to shape the next phase of talks, with Trump willing to sidestep it in favour of pursuing longer-term agreements.
Zelenskyy launches a charm offensive
Mindful of his rocky last visit, Zelenskyy embarked on a deliberate charm offensive. Within minutes he offered six 'thank yous,' presented Trump with a letter from his wife to Melania Trump, and dressed in a formal suit. Trump reacted warmly, joking: 'I cannot believe it. I love it.
Look at you.' Zelenskyy also kept the humour going when Glenn, the conservative reporter who previously mocked him, complimented his new look.
The Ukrainian leader replied: 'I changed, you have not.' European leaders, meanwhile, dialled up their flattery of Trump, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni saying 'something had changed' thanks to him, while Nato chief Rutte praised his 'leadership.'
Security guarantees tied to arms deals
Zelenskyy revealed that part of the security guarantees under discussion involved a massive arms package. He told reporters the US and Ukraine had reached a preliminary $90 billion agreement for advanced weapons, including aviation and anti-missile systems. He also said the US would purchase Ukrainian-made drones to fund their domestic production. The Financial Times reported Ukraine had agreed to buy $100 billion in US weapons financed by Europe in return for American security backing.
Trump remained vague but promised: 'We'll give them good protection.' Zelenskyy said terms could be finalised within 10 days, with leaders framing it as a foundation for future peace talks.