Discussion of White House meeting results with European leaders to be undertaken by Lithuanian president
In a series of high-profile meetings in Washington this week, US President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. The meeting, which also included the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, NATO chief Mark Rutte, and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, was aimed at securing a ceasefire in Ukraine, more than three years after the Kremlin ordered the invasion.
After an hour of closed-door meeting with EU leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump stated that "all of us would obviously prefer the immediate ceasefire while we work on a lasting peace." However, Trump later ruled out an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, a decision that appears to favor Putin, who has long argued for negotiations on a final peace deal.
Trump discussed security guarantees for Ukraine with Putin, who agreed to them despite ruling out Kyiv's long-held dream of joining NATO. The proposed security guarantees for Ukraine, according to reports, involve a framework resembling a "UN Security Council plus," in which Russia would be among the guarantors and retain a veto power. This proposal implies that Russia would have significant influence over the security arrangements.
However, analysis suggests that Putin’s position is inflexible—he is reportedly unwilling to engage in serious peace talks with Ukraine unless the outcome favors Russian demands, effectively requiring Ukrainian surrender. This stance undermines the viability of any genuine security guarantees that preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty or interests.
The discussions appeared to be part of a diplomatic gambit involving a proposed meeting between Putin and Zelensky, which Zelensky agreed to but which stalled due to Russia's additional conditions. The gambit seems to serve more as a political signal than as a basis for tangible security commitments.
Ukraine and its European allies were not invited to the Alaska summit where the initial discussions took place. The White House envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned that Trump and Putin agreed to "robust security guarantees" for Ukraine during the meeting in Alaska on Friday. The meeting in Alaska yielded no breakthrough.
Following the meetings in Washington, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda will participate in a remote meeting of the European Council on Tuesday to discuss the outcome of negotiations at the White House on Monday. European Council president Antonio Costa has also convened a video conference of the European Council members for Tuesday at 13.00 CEST to discuss Ukraine and the outcome of meetings in Washington DC.
Trump reiterated that a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia is "very attainable" at this point in the war. He also stated that a ceasefire in Ukraine would immediately stop the killing. However, the substantive willingness of Moscow to support an equitable peace or security arrangement for Ukraine remains highly doubtful based on the reported stance of Putin.
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