Trump Ukraine peace talks took a step forward on Monday. After hosting Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders at the White House, US President Donald Trump said he began arranging a face-to-face between Zelensky and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
“After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat,” he added, saying the second session would include himself alongside the two presidents.
Trump outlined the approach shortly after the meetings to further progress the Ukraine peace talks.
Europe’s Role on Security Guarantees
Trump Ukraine peace talks would also lean on Europe for security assurances. Following discussions with European leaders, Trump said the parties explored “Security Guarantees for Ukraine,” to be provided by “various European Countries,” with coordination from the United States. He posted the update on Truth Social, signalling that Washington intends to play an oversight role while European capitals shoulder formal commitments.
Readiness to Meet and a Timeline
Momentum built further during the day. A person familiar with a Trump–Putin call said the Russian president told Trump he is willing to meet Zelensky. Separately, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told reporters after the White House talks that Trump and Putin agreed to set up a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders “within the next two weeks.” Together, these statements point to a near-term opening for direct dialogue, marking a potential milestone in Trump’s ambitious Ukraine peace efforts.
What this Could Mean for the War
If the first sit-down goes ahead, a follow-up trilateral session with Trump could test whether limited common ground exists on core issues. Crucially, European security guarantees, coordinated with the US, would frame any path forward and could shape Ukraine’s long-term deterrence. For South Africans watching global markets and energy prices, a credible process matters: reduced risk in Eastern Europe often eases commodity volatility and supports stability. Still, the talks, spearheaded by Trump, will ultimately be judged by outcomes on the ground, not announcements.
