Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that the obligation to end the war rests with Russia, delivering this message just before holding critical discussions in Washington with US President Donald Trump.
The meeting comes as Trump increases pressure on Ukraine to abandon its NATO aspirations and formally recognize Russia’s takeover of Crimea.
The talks, scheduled for Monday, follow Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which ended without achieving a ceasefire. Afterward, Trump suggested that Zelensky could bring the three-and-a-half-year-long war to a halt “almost immediately, if he wants to.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!”
Upon his arrival in Washington, Zelensky firmly stated that “Russia must end this war, which it itself started.” He emphasized that Ukrainians are defending their sovereignty and voiced confidence that “our joint strength with America, with our European friends, will force Russia into a real peace.”
The two leaders are expected to first meet privately before joining a broader session with leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Meanwhile, China has urged all parties to move toward peace “as soon as possible.”
This marks Zelensky’s first trip to Washington since February, when tensions rose after Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized him for being “ungrateful.”
The renewed diplomatic effort coincides with escalated fighting on the ground. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched more than 140 drones and four ballistic missiles from Sunday into Monday. A drone strike on an apartment building in Kharkiv left at least seven dead, while Russian-installed officials said Ukrainian shelling in occupied areas of Kherson and Donetsk killed two civilians.
Although Trump has occasionally expressed frustration with Putin, the United States has not taken new punitive steps against Moscow. Putin’s recent visit to Alaska, where he was warmly received, has been viewed as a diplomatic success for the Kremlin.
Speaking earlier in Brussels, Zelensky described Washington’s security proposal as “historic.” Trump confirmed that he had raised the idea with Putin of creating a collective defense pact for Ukraine outside of NATO, which Russia continues to perceive as a threat.
Steve Witkoff, one of Trump’s close advisers, noted that Moscow had put forward “some concessions” regarding the five occupied regions, with in-depth negotiations on Donetsk expected during the Monday meetings. An insider told AFP that Trump seemed “inclined to support” Russia’s request to retain certain areas of the Donbas it does not fully control, in return for halting advances in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
Russia, however, has consistently demanded that Ukraine withdraw from all four regions annexed in 2022—Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, and Zaporizhzhia—in addition to Crimea, which was seized in 2014. Zelensky has repeatedly made it clear that Ukraine’s constitution forbids the surrender of any part of its territory.
What you should know
Volodymyr Zelensky, a former comedian turned wartime president, has become a global symbol of resistance since Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Known for his unwavering stance on defending Ukraine’s sovereignty, he has consistently rejected any territorial concessions.
His upcoming talks with Donald Trump are seen as pivotal, as they could shape the course of negotiations with Russia and the future of Ukraine’s relationship with NATO and its Western allies.
