This latest meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented a far different image from their unusually tense and combative interaction back in February.
This time, both leaders appeared intent on projecting unity, even though significant differences remained. Zelensky, dressed in a collared suit (albeit not a traditional one), received compliments from Trump, and the Ukrainian president repeatedly expressed gratitude—likely a welcome gesture for his host.
During their initial appearance in the Oval Office, Zelensky kept his remarks brief. It’s unclear whether he chose to remain reserved or was hesitant to voice views that might diverge from Trump’s.
Tensions Surface with European Leaders
Later, during a joint press event with European leaders, some divergences became more visible. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump, however, downplayed its necessity, arguing that a more permanent resolution should come first.
Zelensky notably refrained from weighing in on the ceasefire debate.
Behind closed doors, discussions reportedly focused on possible security guarantees for Ukraine and the potential for a direct meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. No specifics were disclosed about the guarantees or how a face-to-face meeting with Putin might help end the war.
Still, Zelensky later described these guarantees as an essential “starting point for ending the war.”
Potential Arms Deals and Future Talks
Speaking at an earlier press briefing, Zelensky outlined a possible $90 billion agreement with the U.S. that would involve the sale of American military equipment to Ukraine—including aviation and anti-missile systems, along with other undisclosed weapons. He also mentioned U.S. plans to purchase Ukrainian drones, a move that could boost Ukraine’s domestic drone production. While no deals were finalized, Zelensky suggested an agreement might be reached within 10 days.
Zelensky also said he is ready for direct talks with Putin and expressed openness to Trump participating in such a negotiation. So far, however, Putin has not agreed to meet.
“Ukraine will never stop on the path to peace,” Zelensky told reporters, although no date has been set for any such meeting.
Sensitive Issues Left Unspoken
One topic that was notably absent from the public discussion was the possibility of Ukraine making territorial concessions. Still, Zelensky did bring up the matter privately, showing Trump a map of Ukraine to demonstrate that Russia had gained control of less than 1% of Ukrainian territory over the past 1,000 days—information Zelensky claimed was new to the White House.
“I’ve been fighting over what that map shows,” Zelensky said, explaining that he challenged parts of the Oval Office’s map that he believed inaccurately represented Russian gains. “You can’t just say, ‘This much territory is taken.’ These details matter.”
A Calculated Optimism
Zelensky appeared cautiously optimistic about this latest White House meeting, calling it “warm.” His tone seemed intentional—an effort to avoid the missteps of his last visit and to align the U.S. more closely with the European perspective on ending the war.
Perhaps the most significant outcome of this visit was that it bought Ukraine more time. Notably, Trump held a phone call with Putin shortly after meeting with the European leaders—signaling that Russia, too, may have used the occasion to extend its own diplomatic timeline.
Despite widespread concern, no major fallout has emerged from the recent summits in Alaska and Washington—at least, none that have been made public.
For now, the status quo holds.
