After a forty minutes phone call between Donald Trump And Vladimir Putin, defined by the “constructive and Franca” Kremlin, the possible direct meeting between the Russian leader and the Ukrainian president appears closer. The call came at the end of the interviews of the White House with Volodymyr Zelensky and the main European leaders.
From Washington transpires Russian availability to an interview, while Kiev prepares the strengthening of his defenses: according to the Financial TimesUkraine will proceed with the purchase of US weapon systems for about 100 billion dollars, with European financial support.
In the summit to the White House, alongside Donald Trump And Volodymyr Zelenskytook part Emmanuel Macronthe Finnish president Alexander Stubthe Italian premier Giorgia Melonithe British Prime Minister Keir Starmerthe German Chancellor Friedrich Merzthe President of the European Commission Ursula von der leyen and the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The leaders accepted the framework of security guarantees for Ukraine coordinated with the United States, reiterating that territorial concessions in Kiev cannot be imposed.
Prudence, however, from European partners: Emmanuel Macron He expressed doubts about Putin’s real will of peace and urged the hypothesis of an tightening of the sanctions in the event that the negotiations do not produce results. On the same line the Finn Alexander Stubwho invites you not to store excessive trust in the promises of the Kremlin.
The Ukrainian position is more optimistic: Volodymyr Zelensky It is said to be favorable to a “without condition” meeting, with the aim of making an credible path towards the end of the war.
At the end of summit, Friedrich Merz He indicated a possible window of about two weeks for the expected face to face. By the US, Donald Trump He made it known that he had started preparations for a meeting between Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskywhich could follow a trilateral with the participation of the US President himself. The coordination was entrusted – according to what was communicated – to the vice -president JD Vance, to the secretary of state Marco Rubio and the special envoy Steve Witkoff.
At the end of the works, the European leaders left Washington: Giorgia Meloni has returned to Italy, Volodymyr Zelensky He left for Kiev. The most delicate diplomatic bet remains on the table: transforming the negotiating window open from the phone call into a direct comparison capable of producing concrete and verifiable results.