Donald Trumps says Volodymyr Zelensky could end war ‘immediately’ as leaders arrive in DC after Putin talks
US President Donald Trump is preparing to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and top European leaders for peace talks, levelling a blunt assessment at one country.
The historic White House gathering comes after Mr Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in Anchorage, Alaska.
After a three-hour discussion, Mr Trump emerged saying he would be making some calls. Now, some of the most influential leaders in Europe, along with Ukraine’s top representative, are preparing to meet in Washington DC, with the future of Ukraine and peace in the region at stake.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Mr Zelensky arrived and was greeted by an enormous security escort that whisked him off to the White House guest house.
Taking to Truth Social after the Ukraine President touched down, Mr Trump wrote: “President Zelensky of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight.”
“Remember how it started.
“No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!” he demanded as peace talks are set to begin.
Mr Trump said the meeting at the White House was going to be a “big day”.
“Never had so many European leaders at one time. My great honour to host them!” he wrote.
Mr Trump also took the opportunity to hit back at criticism over his meeting with Mr Putin, which some have labelled a “major defeat” for the US.
“The Fake News has been saying for 3 days that I suffered a ‘major defeat’ by allowing President Vladimir Putin of Russia to have a major Summit in the United States,” he wrote.
“Actually, he would have loved doing the meeting anywhere else but the U.S., and the Fake News knows this. It was a major point of contention!”
In the string of posts, Mr Trump said it was a “great honour for America” to be hosting so many “great European Leaders at our beautiful White House”, also adding that the new American flags he added to the grounds “look FANTASTIC”.
Mr Zelensky will be joined by European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
“The United States is potentially prepared to be able to give Article 5 security guarantees, but not from NATO - directly from the United States and other European countries,” US special envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News ahead of the White House gathering.
