President Donald Trump had a working lunch with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday that reportedly turned acrimonious, as Trump insisted that Ukraine must make territorial concessions to Russia to facilitate an end to the ongoing war. This assertion came from European officials who were briefed on the details of the meeting. Trump's insistence on this point led to frustration, and he raised his voice during the discussions, highlighting the ongoing tension in the relationship between the two leaders.
This meeting represents a significant shift in Trump's approach to resolving the Ukraine conflict. Just last month, after meeting with Zelensky in New York, Trump expressed optimism that Ukraine could recover all the territory it lost to Russia. However, his recent comments suggest a departure from that position as he prepares for another crucial meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest. Following a call with Putin prior to the meeting with Zelensky, Trump reiterated his stance that Ukraine must give up substantial land to reach a peaceful resolution.
In response to the backlash regarding his comments, Trump downplayed the situation during a press conference on Monday, stating, “I never said they would win it. I said they could win.” He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of war, suggesting that while he believes Ukraine has a chance to win, he does not foresee it happening. After the meeting, Zelensky briefed European leaders and conveyed a sense of pessimism regarding Trump's position, as noted by the European officials present.
A Ukrainian source described the White House meeting as “tense” but clarified that there was “no shouting,” indicating that while the atmosphere was charged, it was not hostile. The source categorized the meeting as constructive, with Trump ultimately suggesting that any ceasefire should align with the current frontlines, a point Zelensky later supported in remarks to the media. The White House also referenced Trump's comments made on Air Force One, where he stated, “We think that what they should do is just stop at the lines where they are, the battle lines.”
Ending the Russia-Ukraine war has become a top priority for Trump, especially after he successfully brokered a truce between Israel and Hamas to end the conflict in Gaza. European officials reported that Trump emphasized the urgency of resolving the war during Friday's discussions. In a phone call with Trump the day before, Putin proposed a plan suggesting that Ukraine surrender the eastern Donbas region in exchange for territories in the southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, a proposal that represents a significant loss of land for Ukraine, though less expansive than previous demands made by Putin.
Trump's eventual stance of advocating for a ceasefire along current battle lines reflects his acknowledgment of the harsh realities of the conflict, citing the extensive devastation and loss of life. He mentioned that both sides need to come to a deal, as conditions are likely to worsen if the fighting continues. Zelensky characterized the meeting as a “pointed conversation” in a social media post, expressing hope that the dialogue could help bring the war closer to resolution.
This article has been updated to include additional comments from President Donald Trump. CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Kristen Holmes, and Victoria Butenko contributed to this report.
