Trump claims Zelenskyy could halt Russia war 'almost instantly' ahead of White House meeting
LONDON — President Donald Trump on Sunday previewed what he called a “big day” in Washington as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepared to meet him at the White House, joined by a number of European leaders. Trump suggested the talks could end Russia’s war in Ukraine “almost immediately.”
The Washington summit comes after Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. Since that encounter, Trump has softened his demand for an immediate Russian ceasefire and is now pressuring Kyiv to accept territorial concessions as part of a peace deal.
On Sunday, Trump declared that Ukraine will not regain Crimea — annexed by Russia in 2014 — and repeated his opposition to Kyiv joining NATO. Instead, officials have floated alternative U.S. security guarantees.
“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight,” Trump wrote on social media.
Trump has previously mischaracterized Ukraine as the aggressor in the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 following earlier incursions into Crimea and the Donbas.
“Big day at the White House tomorrow,” Trump added. “I’ve never had so many European leaders at one time. It’s my great honor to host them!!! NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!”
According to the White House schedule, Trump will welcome Zelenskyy outside the West Wing at 1 p.m. ET Monday before holding bilateral talks. A photo session with European leaders will follow at 2:30 p.m. ET, ahead of a multilateral meeting at 3 p.m. Vice President JD Vance is also expected to attend.
Zelenskyy confirmed his arrival in Washington late Sunday, thanking Trump for hosting the summit. “We all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably,” he wrote on social media. “And peace must be lasting.” He also underscored Ukraine’s fight for independence and reiterated that Russia, not Ukraine, began the war.
Friday’s Alaska talks ended with Russia demanding full control of eastern Donetsk in exchange for halting its offensive, sources told ABC News. Trump urged Kyiv to “make the deal” and later praised Putin as “strong” and “tough as hell.”
Those joining Zelenskyy in Washington include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. European leaders have consistently backed Kyiv’s stance, rejecting premature concessions to Moscow.
Macron, speaking Sunday, said Europe’s security was at stake. “If we are weak today with Russia, we prepare the wars of tomorrow,” he warned, emphasizing that Moscow has repeatedly broken promises of non-aggression.
European officials are expected to press for a ceasefire before peace talks, stronger security guarantees for Kyiv, and Ukraine’s right to decide on any territorial concessions. Macron has proposed a “reassurance force” in Ukraine alongside continued military support.
In Kyiv, officials warned that any concessions would require constitutional changes and a national referendum. “Territorial concessions are impossible,” said Oleksandr Mrezhko, chair of Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee. He stressed that NATO membership remains Ukraine’s most reliable security guarantee.
Meanwhile, fighting continued overnight. Ukraine reported Russia launched 140 drones and four missiles, with impacts across six regions. Seven civilians were killed in Kharkiv when a drone hit an apartment building, while strikes in Zaporizhzhia left three dead and 23 injured, local officials said. Russia claimed it downed 24 Ukrainian drones in response.
