by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff
WASHINGTON D.C. (Worthy News) – President Donald Trump announced Monday night that he has begun arranging a trilateral meeting between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine following high-level talks with European leaders at the White House.
The move marks the most significant diplomatic initiative yet by the Trump administration to end the nearly four-year-old conflict. Trump said he called Russian President Vladimir Putin after the White House summit and began laying the groundwork for a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which would later expand to include the United States.
“Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin and began the arrangements for a meeting… 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.”
European Leaders Join Talks
The White House summit brought together a heavyweight lineup of European leaders alongside Zelensky, including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
NATO’s Rutte praised the talks as a breakthrough: “I think in the past two weeks we’ve probably had more progress in ending this war than we have in the past three and a half years.”
Zelensky’s tone also shifted noticeably from his last Washington visit, which ended in controversy. Wearing a suit after previously being criticized for his military fatigues, the Ukrainian leader expressed gratitude for U.S. and European support and endorsed Trump’s plan for trilateral negotiations.
“We supported the idea of the United States, of President Trump, to stop this war, to make a diplomatic way of finishing this war,” Zelensky said. “And we are ready for trilateral.”
Security Guarantees at the Core
The central issue discussed was European-led security guarantees for Ukraine, coordinated with U.S. support. Trump emphasized that while the U.S. would assist, the bulk of responsibility would fall on Europe.
British Prime Minister Starmer suggested a collective defense arrangement for Ukraine comparable to NATO’s Article V without granting formal NATO membership. Former U.S. National Security Council chief of staff Fred Fleitz told Fox News such a mechanism could form the backbone of a lasting peace.
Russia, however, swiftly rejected any security arrangement involving NATO troops inside Ukraine. “We reaffirm our repeatedly stated position of categorical rejection of any scenarios involving the presence of a military contingent from NATO countries in Ukraine,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Trump Rejects Ceasefire, Pushes Permanent Deal
In a notable departure from previous diplomatic efforts, Trump downplayed the importance of a ceasefire, arguing instead for a permanent settlement. “I don’t think you need a ceasefire,” he said. “If you look at the six deals that I settled this year, they were all at war. I didn’t do any ceasefires.”
Meanwhile, Russian forces pressed offensives in eastern Ukraine, with reports of a near-encirclement of Pokrovsk and heavy fighting in Kostiantynivka, adding urgency to the talks.
Next Steps
Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff have been tasked with coordinating further talks with Moscow and Kyiv. No date or location for the trilateral meeting has been set.
Trump also reassured Americans that U.S. troops would not be deployed to Ukraine. “Well, you have my assurance,” he told Fox News. “I’m president and I’m just trying to stop people from being killed.” He suggested U.S. support would focus on air power rather than ground forces.
For now, European leaders and Zelensky are cautiously optimistic. As NATO’s Rutte put it, “The fact that you have said I’m willing to participate in security guarantees is a big step. It is really a breakthrough, and it makes all the difference.”
Reporting contributed by Worthy News staff and wire services.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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