A face to face that could apply to Volodymyr Zelensky a decisive step forward towards the end of hostilities. At the White House, the Ukrainian President presented himself aware that for Donald Trump the responsibility of peace weighs only on his shoulders. And, for the tycoon, it can be reached even without a ceased.
“It is not needed. An agreement can be achieved while fighting, “said the American president, reassuring Zelensky and Europeans on American involvement in Kiev’s security guarantees, without excluding the possible presence in the future also of US troops. The meeting between the tenant of the White House and the Ukrainian leader was friendly, nothing to do with the ambush of Zelensky’s last visit. Trump welcomed him this time with a warm handshake, put his hand on his shoulder and, responding to those who asked him what his message for the Ukrainians was, he replied without hesitation: “We love them”.
Zelensky’s face appeared lying and smiling: for the summit this time he gave up his military clothing, presenting himself in a jacket in an attempt not to irritate Trump who in February went to everyone for his look. In the oval study the climate in front of journalists appeared lying. Trump reiterated that the Ukrainian leader “can put an end to the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wishes” and has shown himself cautiously optimistic. “The war will end, I cannot say when, but it will end”: “I am confident that we will solve it,” he observed, wishing a “lasting peace immediately”.
On security guarantees gave reassurances: “Europe is in the front row, but we will help them”. A message directed to the leaders of the old continent present at the White House and compact in supporting Zelensky: Macron, Starmer, Merz, Meloni, Von der Leyen, Stubb and Rutte. All intent on ensuring that NATO continues to exist. Also because the recent posture of Trump, who seems The meeting in Alaska has left them many shaken.
The Ukrainian leader, sitting next to Trump, carefully listened to his words. He thanked him from the invitation, thanked the First Lady Melania for the letter sent to Putin. And he handed over to the American president a letter from his wife, Olena Zelenska, addressed to Melania. Opening to the possibility of new elections in Ukraine, Zelensky said he was also ready for a trilateral with Putin. “If everything is fine today, we will have a trilateral, and I think there will be reasonable possibilities to end the war when we do it,” explained Trump reporting that after the meetings to the White House with Zelensky and the Europeans would have called Putin. For peace in Ukraine, the Russian president has made a series of requests, including the control of Donbass. So far Zelensky has opposed the idea but being flew to Washington seems to demonstrate his willingness to speak of the exchange of territories.
According to Trump, the way of peace for Kiev goes to say goodbye to Crimea and to give up once and for all to the ambitions of adhesion to NATO. “Russia must not get any reward for this war. The war must end. And it is Moscow that he has to say ‘Basà », Zelensky replied on social media, noting as Putin with his continuous attacks” humilias peace “. The alarm sirens in fact continued to play in Kiev while the European leaders arrived at the White House, showing how on the ground the clash goes on regardless of what happens in Washington. The first to arrive was the secretary of NATO Mark Rutte, followed by the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the president of Finland Alexander Stubb – who became a friend of Trump on golf courses – and by the French resident Emmanuel Macron. A proof of strength to reassure Zelensky and try to understand from Trump the exact outlines of those “agreements” of which Putin spoke at the press conference in Alaska. Because there is not only Ukraine at stake, but Europe.