Zelenskyy to Hold Talks with Trump After Putin Summit Ends Without Ceasefire

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his much-anticipated summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded “very well,” though the two leaders did not secure a ceasefire in Ukraine despite hours of discussions. The outcome has sparked mixed reactions across Europe and in Kyiv, where officials had hoped for at least a temporary halt to the fighting.

Speaking after the meeting, Trump emphasized that both sides agreed a ceasefire would not be sufficient to resolve the war. “The best way to end the horrific conflict between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement,” Trump wrote on social media. He argued that ceasefires are often temporary and fragile, while a comprehensive peace deal would bring lasting stability.

Europe Pushes Back

Trump’s framing of the talks immediately drew criticism from European leaders, who continue to press for a ceasefire as an essential first step to ending hostilities. In a joint statement, European officials stressed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—who was not invited to the Trump-Putin summit—must be included in any future negotiations. “It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions regarding its territory,” the statement read, a pointed reminder that no deal should move forward without Kyiv’s consent.

European leaders also expressed unease over Trump’s apparent closeness to Putin’s position. The absence of a ceasefire agreement, they warned, gives Russia an opportunity to press its offensive without fear of immediate consequences. “As long as the killing in Ukraine continues, we stand ready to uphold the pressure on Russia,” the joint statement declared. Leaders pledged to expand sanctions and economic measures against Moscow until “a just and durable peace” is achieved.

Zelenskyy to Meet Trump

In response to the summit, President Zelenskyy announced plans to meet Trump in Washington on Monday to discuss the war in detail. “We will talk about ending the killings and the war,” Zelenskyy said in a message posted on Telegram. Trump later confirmed the meeting, writing on Truth Social that if discussions with Zelenskyy prove productive, a second meeting involving Putin could be arranged.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller told Fox News that the administration is working with European partners to create a “pathway for a comprehensive peace deal.” According to Miller, Trump’s priority is not only ending hostilities but also shaping a framework that could bring long-term security to Europe.

Moscow’s Reaction

For its part, the Kremlin welcomed the Trump-Putin talks. In a statement, Putin described the summit as “frank, meaningful, and bringing us closer to necessary decisions.” Russian officials, however, portrayed the absence of a ceasefire as a sign of progress for Moscow. Andrei Klishas, a Russian senator, told the Washington Post that “a new European and international security architecture is on the agenda and everyone must accept it.”

Looking Ahead

While Trump has positioned himself as a mediator seeking a “big peace deal,” the lack of concrete progress raises questions about what comes next. Zelenskyy’s upcoming meeting with Trump is expected to be pivotal, as Ukraine continues to insist that its sovereignty and territorial rights must remain central to any negotiations.

For now, the war grinds on, and the world waits to see whether Trump’s diplomatic efforts can shift momentum from battlefield clashes toward genuine peace talks.