'Let’s End This War and Bring Peace Home!'- Trump-Zelenskyy Summit at White House

Trump-Zelenskyy Summit at White House: Memories of the Cold War are fresh in the air in Washington, but the meeting of US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office of the White House around 7:55 am IST on Saturday gave new hope for peace. The meeting came just a day after his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump welcomed Zelensky, saying, "It's an honor to be with a strong leader who has been through a lot. We get along very well." 

Tension between the two leaders 

Trump referred to the "fierce animosity" between the two leaders. He said, "These two don't like each other at all. We want to make it convenient for everyone, so one way or another we will engage in conversation, but probably in different settings." Ukraine's US liquefied natural gas storage proposal was also discussed during the meeting. Trump mocked Zelensky's "very stylish jacket," a move reminiscent of a tense February meeting where the two clashed on live TV.

Trump's hesitation on Tomahawk missiles

Trump's stance on military aid remained cautious. He showed hesitation on the question of giving Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. "One of the reasons we want to end this war is that it is not easy to give us too many powerful weapons. Hopefully the war will end without even thinking about the Tomahawk." He said, "We are not out to sell tomahawks; we are out to end wars." The statement came after Putin warned that the supply of long-range missiles would escalate the conflict. "Russia is really afraid of the Tomahawk, because it's a strong weapon," Zelensky later told reporters.

Zelensky's appeal and Trump's peace claim

Zelensky praised Trump's Middle East ceasefire efforts and said, "With your support we can stop the war. Their military and economy are weakened; this is a decisive moment." He mentioned meeting with American energy and defense companies, which are ready to help after attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure. Trump, who calls himself a peacemaker, said, "I resolved eight wars, saved millions of lives. The India-Pakistan one would have been worse, but we resolved it." He expressed his desire to make Ukraine the "ninth."

Trump's statement on Truth Social

After the meeting, Trump wrote on Truth Social, "The meeting with Zelensky was interesting and cordial, but I also told him and Putin to stop the killing and make a deal! Enough of the bloodshed. Stop where you are. Declare both victorious; history will judge! If I were president, this war would never have started. Thousands of weekly deaths—now enough, return to families in peace!"

Future prospects

"The regional discussion is sensitive. Russia wants to take over everything," Zelensky said. The meeting came amid new efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, where Trump's "declaration of victory" formula is controversial. But there were indications from both sides that the talks could move forward. The path to peace is difficult, but there is hope.