US President Donald Trump will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Oval Office on Monday, only days after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The Alaska summit drew global attention but ended without a breakthrough on Ukraine. Now, all eyes turn to Washington, where Trump signals the next phase of diplomacy.
Trump said on Truth Social, “President Zelenskyy will be coming to DC, Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin.” His statement suggested a phased approach, moving from bilateral talks to a possible trilateral format. For Ukraine, the Washington visit is critical, as the war continues with no ceasefire in sight.
Kneeling Optics, Empty Outcomes
Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin in Alaska, giving him the first entry onto Western soil since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Yet despite the grand welcome and hours of talks, the summit produced no concrete agreement.
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Putin hinted at an “understanding”, while Trump insisted, “there’s no deal until there’s a deal.” The contrast underscored how symbolism overshadowed substance.
Zelensky Pushes for Europe’s Role
Following the Alaska summit, Zelensky said he had a “long and substantive” call with Trump. He welcomed the Oval Office invitation and confirmed that the talks would focus on “ending the killing and the war.”
Zelensky also emphasized the importance of Europe’s role. “It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America,” he said. He pointed to “positive signals” from the US on security guarantees but stopped short of giving details.
Trump’s Outreach to NATO Allies
On his flight back from Alaska, Trump called NATO and European leaders. According to officials, he spoke with Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British PM Keir Starmer, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish President Karol Nawrocki, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
ALSO READ: Trump Talks to Zelensky, NATO After Alaska Summit, No Peace Deal for Ukraine
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump’s call with Zelensky was followed by conversations with NATO allies. However, Trump avoided reporters after landing, offering no details.
Trilateral Hopes, Russian Silence
Zelensky voiced support for a possible three-way meeting involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine. “Key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this,” he said.
But Russia dismissed the idea. Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said on state television that the trilateral meeting “has not been touched upon yet” in US-Russia discussions. The silence highlights the uncertainty surrounding the next steps.
Next Steps in the Tariff Row
Instead of aiming for a ‘mere Ceasefire Agreement’, Trump now presents himself as a negotiator pursuing a “Peace Agreement”. Zelensky, on the other hand, advocates for more extensive European participation and robust security assurances.
ALSO READ: Trump-Putin Alaska Summit: Success or Symbolism? Key Takeaways for Ukraine
However, with Russia refusing trilateral negotiations and Alaska showing no signs of progress, the Washington meeting could be pivotal in determining the future.
