Trump claims ‘Substantial Progress’ in Ukraine peace talks with Zelensky

President Donald Trump declared “substantial progress” in his bold bid to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, kicking off a pivotal White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday.

Seated in the Oval Office, Trump exuded confidence, stating, “We’ve had a lot of good discussions and a lot of good talks, and I think progress is being made, very substantial progress in many ways.”

The high-stakes summit, marked by a collegial tone and diplomatic gestures, signals a critical moment in U.S.-led efforts to broker peace, even as Zelensky insisted on a “just and lasting peace” to secure Ukraine’s future.

The meeting, a stark contrast to the tense February 2025 encounter between the two leaders, saw Zelensky strategically mending ties.

He presented Trump with a letter from Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska to Melania Trump, a nod to the U.S. First Lady’s earlier plea to Russian President Vladimir Putin to protect children amid the war’s devastation.

“My wife, first lady of Ukraine, she gave the letter. It’s not to you-to your wife,” Zelensky said, drawing chuckles and lightening the mood.

Trump praised Melania’s letter, noting her “great love of children” and her sorrow over the “heartbreak, the parents, the funerals” seen on television.

“She would love to see it end,” he added, signaling personal investment in the peace process.

Zelensky, dressed in a black suit-a deliberate shift from the military attire that irked Trump in February-expressed gratitude for Trump’s “personal efforts” to halt the conflict.

“Thank you for invitation, and thank you very much for your efforts, personal efforts, to stop killings and stop this war,” he said, emphasizing Ukraine’s need for robust U.S. support.

He highlighted a new NATO programme enabling allies to purchase U.S. weapons, like Patriot air defense systems, for Ukraine, stating, “Nobody in Europe has so many air defense systems like Patriots. We need it very much.”

Trump’s vision for peace hinges on a potential trilateral summit with Zelensky and Putin, a prospect he plans to discuss in a post-meeting call with the Russian leader.

“He’s expecting my call when we’re finished with this meeting,” Trump revealed, adding, “I think if we have a trilat, there’s a good chance of maybe ending it.”

He expressed cautious optimism, saying, “I think if we can get to peace, it’s going to work. I have no doubt about it.” Yet, his openness to deploying U.S. troops as part of security guarantees marked a surprising shift.

“We’ll let you know that, maybe later today,” he said, noting Europe’s primary role but affirming, “We’re going to help them out. Also, we’ll be involved.”

Zelensky, undeterred by Trump’s push for a swift deal, stressed Ukraine’s need for comprehensive security guarantees, including a strong army backed by weapons, training, and intelligence from “big countries” like the U.S. “We need everything,” he asserted, referencing Russia’s deadly overnight strike on Kharkiv as a reminder of the ongoing threat.

He endorsed a diplomatic path, saying, “We supported the idea of the United States – of, personally, President Trump – to stop this war, to make a diplomatic way of finishing this war.”

The meeting’s warm tone, bolstered by Zelensky’s sartorial choice and diplomatic gestures, stood in sharp relief to past tensions.

“You look fabulous in that suit,” a reporter quipped, prompting Trump to exclaim, “I said the same thing.”

The lighter moments belied the weight of the discussions, with Trump downplaying a ceasefire in favour of a broader deal. “I like the concept of a ceasefire but strategically, that could be a disadvantage,” he said, citing his past peace deals without ceasefires.