Trump Urges Zelenskyy to Act as High-Stakes Meeting Looms

U.S. President Donald Trump has placed the responsibility for ending the ongoing conflict with Russia squarely on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as they prepare for a crucial meeting in Washington on March 18, 2024. This meeting follows a recent summit where Trump extended a warm welcome to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, highlighting the contrasting approaches towards foreign relations. Zelenskyy, accompanied by several European leaders, is in Washington to explore possible solutions to the prolonged war impacting Ukraine.

As the meeting approaches, Trump set a potentially confrontational tone through a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. He stated, “President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight.” Trump emphasized historical grievances, referencing the past loss of Crimea and asserting that Ukraine should not seek NATO membership.

In response, Zelenskyy reiterated his commitment to peace while signaling his own conditions for a resolution. “We all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably,” he wrote on X, highlighting the need for lasting peace rather than temporary solutions. The Ukrainian president expressed caution about previous agreements that failed to provide lasting security for Ukraine, referencing the loss of Crimea and parts of the Donbas region.

During the lead-up to the meeting, reports indicated that Trump believes a deal could be reached if Ukraine concedes its control over the Donbas region, a suggestion that Zelenskyy has previously rejected, warning that such a move would compromise Ukraine’s defenses against future Russian aggression.

Zelenskyy also expressed gratitude towards Trump, a departure from earlier tensions that arose during a heated encounter in the Oval Office in February. He noted, “Our people will always be grateful to President Trump,” reflecting an effort to build rapport ahead of their discussions.

The meeting on Monday has drawn significant attention due to its timing, following Trump’s summit with Putin in Alaska. Trump characterized those discussions as a potential pathway to trilateral peace negotiations, yet they concluded without any agreements or ceasefire in sight. Following his meeting with Putin, Trump communicated with European leaders, suggesting that a direct Peace Agreement, rather than a temporary ceasefire, would be necessary to effectively end the conflict.

European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, Friedrich Merz, Emmanuel Macron, Giorgia Meloni, Keir Starmer, and Alexander Stubb, will join Zelenskyy for the discussions. Their presence underscores the international commitment to supporting Ukraine and ensuring that any negotiations do not undermine its sovereignty.

Despite his pointed remarks directed at Zelenskyy, Trump appeared enthusiastic about hosting the gathering of European leaders, stating, “Big day at the White House tomorrow. Never had so many European Leaders at one time. My great honor to host them!”

As the meeting unfolds, the world will be watching closely to see if any tangible steps toward peace can be achieved in this high-stakes diplomatic effort.