Peace talks push at White House

Zelenskyy and Trump host European leaders and NATO allies in Washington to press for a negotiated end to Russia's invasion.

Trump and Zelenskyy welcome European leaders at White House for peace talks

In Washington, Trump and Zelenskyy greeted European leaders and NATO partners as they opened a fresh round of diplomacy aimed at a peace settlement for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy, speaking ahead of the talks, accused Russia of attacking civilians and critical energy infrastructure to pressure Kyiv and Western allies, citing strikes in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Sumy and an Azerbaijani owned facility in Odesa. He urged that security guarantees be part of any agreement and warned that Moscow seeks to humiliate diplomatic efforts.

The gathering signals a united push by the United States and its partners to set a framework for ending the fighting, with a focus on credible consequences and strong assurances for Ukraine. It also raises questions about how promises will be enforced and funded, and how political dynamics in the United States and Europe could affect the path to a durable ceasefire.

Diplomacy here is a test of alliance cohesion. The image of a broad coalition around Ukraine comes with a public expectation that promises translate into action. Energy security and civilian protection are central to the talks, turning military aid into a leverage point for negotiations. Yet the conversation sits against a volatile backdrop of battlefield shifts, domestic politics, and the risk that rhetoric outpaces reality.

If the talks stall, publics may grow weary and leaders could face backlash at home. The challenge is not just reaching a pause in fighting, but building a credible plan to sustain it and to deter future aggression without triggering new tensions with Moscow or within member states.

Highlights

Diplomacy hinges on action, not words.