After the high-profile meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska failed to produce a peace deal, all eyes turned to the upcoming discussion between Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington.
Trump had publicly claimed that Zelenskyy could end the war “almost immediately” if he chose to, urging Ukraine not to pursue NATO membership and to accept Russia’s annexation of Crimea from 2014. His comments sparked controversy and a strong reaction online.
Zelenskyy replied with a diplomatic but clear message, confirming his arrival in Washington and expressing gratitude to Trump. He stated that all parties share a desire to end the war swiftly and reliably, but stressed the importance of lasting peace—unlike previous agreements that failed to prevent further Russian aggression after Crimea was lost.
He also reminded the public of Ukraine’s loss of nuclear weapons under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which promised security guarantees that proved ineffective. Today, Ukraine demands reliable and binding assurances, including the possibility of NATO membership, to ensure its sovereignty.
Military gains on the ground have bolstered Ukrainian confidence, and Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. and allies for their unwavering support. He emphasized that Russia must be the one to end this conflict.
The meeting in Washington was set to address these critical issues, with the hope of moving toward a sustainable peace.
