President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House today, just days after his controversial summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The meetings mark a high-stakes moment in Trump’s push for a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine.
The last joint gathering of Trump, Zelensky, and European leaders in February was marked by tense exchanges and unresolved disagreements.
Zelensky announced his arrival in Washington late Sunday, saying he was prepared to sit down with Trump and later with European leaders to pursue what he called a lasting resolution to the conflict. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed she would also join the talks, signaling a coordinated Western effort.
According to the White House schedule, European leaders will arrive by noon at the South Portico, where media will be permitted to cover their entrance. Trump and Zelensky are set to greet each other at 1 p.m. before heading into a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office with Vice President J.D. Vance in attendance.
At 2:15 p.m., Trump will meet with the European delegation in the State Dining Room, followed by a traditional group photo in Cross Hall. The main working session is set for 3 p.m. in the East Room, where Trump, Zelensky, and the European leaders will hold broader discussions on security, aid, and prospects for a cease-fire.
The encounter comes against the backdrop of Trump’s Alaska summit with Putin, where the U.S. president’s approach to negotiations with Russia drew sharp criticism from both parties in Congress. Today’s meetings with Zelensky and European allies are expected to be closely watched for signs of how far Trump is willing to go in pressing Moscow and whether Ukraine’s leadership will support any emerging framework.
Source: The Hill