Trump says arranging Putin-Zelensky peace summit

Following extensive discussions with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he has initiated preparations for a peace summit between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump's statement, made on his Truth Social platform, indicated that he had spoken with Putin after a "very good" meeting at the White House. The leaders plan to meet at a location to be determined, with Trump also intending to join for a three-way summit. A source familiar with the talks told AFP that Putin is ready to meet with Zelensky.

Key Discussion Points
During the White House meetings, Trump discussed the possibility of security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a peace agreement. He stated that Europe would take the lead in providing these guarantees in coordination with the United States. Trump also mentioned that the meeting would address "the possible exchanges of territory" between Russia and Ukraine, an idea that Ukraine has previously rejected.

Reactions and Tensions
The White House meeting, which included the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, the European Commission, and NATO, marked a significant diplomatic event. Zelensky described his one-on-one meeting with Trump as their "best" yet, noting a calmer atmosphere compared to their previous encounter in February. While European leaders, including NATO chief Mark Rutte, expressed excitement about the potential for peace, some voiced caution.

French President Emmanuel Macron suggested a separate four-way meeting involving European nations to address the conflict. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, meanwhile, advocated for an immediate ceasefire before any full peace deal and stressed that Ukraine should not be forced to cede territory. These statements highlight a degree of nervousness among European leaders regarding Trump's approach, which some see as pressuring Kyiv to make concessions to Moscow.