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Washington, D.C. — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for rapid progress on formalizing U.S.-backed security guarantees for Ukraine ahead of a proposed summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The appeal comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity following Zelenskyy’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders at the White House earlier this week.
Zelenskyy emphasized that concrete commitments must be in place before any direct negotiations with Moscow can proceed. “Security guarantees are not just a formality—they are the foundation for any meaningful peace talks,” he said during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin.
Trump Signals Support, But Details Remain Unclear
President Trump has expressed support for providing Ukraine with “very good protection,” though specifics remain under discussion. According to officials, the proposed guarantees would involve coordinated defense commitments from European nations, with the United States playing a supporting role. Trump has also suggested that Ukraine may purchase up to $90 billion in U.S. weapons as part of the arrangement, reframing the relationship as one of strategic partnership rather than aid dependency.
While Trump has initiated plans for a bilateral summit between Putin and Zelenskyy, followed by a potential trilateral meeting including the U.S., the Kremlin has yet to confirm its participation. Russian officials have indicated openness to continued dialogue but have resisted calls for an immediate ceasefire, a key demand from Kyiv and its allies.
European Leaders Push for Preconditions
European leaders have echoed Zelenskyy’s call for security guarantees and a ceasefire as prerequisites for any peace negotiations. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described the recent talks as “a very successful meeting,” but warned that without enforceable commitments, any agreement risks being symbolic rather than substantive.
Chancellor Merz added that Europe, NATO, and the U.S. were “in broad agreement” on rejecting legal recognition of Russian-occupied territories and maintaining pressure on Moscow to de-escalate. “If there’s no movement on the Russian side in Alaska, then the U.S. and Europeans must increase the pressure,” he said.
Outlook for Peace Talks
The proposed summit between Putin and Zelenskyy would be the first direct meeting between the two leaders since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While hopes for a breakthrough remain cautious, Zelenskyy has signaled his readiness to engage in talks without preconditions, provided Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected.
Trump, speaking at the Kennedy Center in Washington, rated the recent diplomatic meetings “a 10” and said there was “a very good chance” of a follow-up summit if initial talks with Putin go well. However, he acknowledged the challenges ahead, noting that despite previous conversations with Putin, civilian casualties in Ukraine continue.
As negotiations unfold, the international community will be watching closely to see whether the momentum generated in Washington can translate into tangible progress toward ending the war.
