KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday following the culmination of Trump’s summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, which ended without a resolution to end the conflict in Ukraine.
Trump announced on his social media platform that Friday’s meeting in Alaska had “gone very well.” After subsequent discussions early Saturday with Zelenskyy and leaders from Europe, he stated: “It was agreed by all that the most effective way to conclude the devastating war between Russia and Ukraine is through a direct Peace Agreement to end the war, as opposed to just a Ceasefire Agreement that often doesn’t last.”
Putin has mentioned previously that Russia is not pursuing a temporary truce, but rather a long-term solution that considers Moscow’s interests.
Zelenskyy reported having a “long and substantive” conversation with Trump. He expressed gratitude for the invitation to meet in person in Washington on Monday and mentioned they would “discuss all the specifics regarding ending the violence and the war.”
This will be Zelenskyy’s inaugural visit to the U.S. since Trump criticized him for being “disrespectful” during an unusual Oval Office meeting in February.
Trump confirmed the White House meeting and said that “if all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin.”
On Friday, Trump extended a warm welcome to Putin, who was visiting the U.S. for the first time in a decade. However, he provided little specific information about their discussions afterward.
Trump had warned ahead of the summit of “very severe consequences” for Russia if Putin doesn’t agree to end the war.
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Morton reported from London. Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.
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