President Donald Trump’s second Oval Office meeting this year with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy brought a noticeably warmer tone and new pledges of cooperation, as European leaders rallied behind U.S. efforts to shape a path toward peace in Ukraine.
Unlike their tense February encounter, this meeting was marked by gratitude and symbolism—Zelenskyy traded his signature combat hoodie for a blazer, drawing compliments from both Trump and reporters. The shift in atmosphere reflected Europe’s united push for security guarantees, even as the possibility of NATO membership for Ukraine was firmly ruled out.
Trump signaled U.S. support for European-led security efforts to backstop any eventual peace deal, calling them “a strong signal.” Zelenskyy welcomed the backing, noting it bolstered Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s 3 ½-year invasion. European leaders, from French President Emmanuel Macron to Britain’s Keir Starmer, praised Trump’s engagement, though all acknowledged the difficult work ahead.
The standout moment came with Trump’s pledge to arrange a direct meeting between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, following his own recent talks with the Kremlin leader in Alaska. While Trump suggested a breakthrough could come within weeks, many remain skeptical, especially as unresolved questions loom—territory, Ukraine’s army, and long-term security guarantees.
European leaders emphasized solidarity but remained cautious. Macron framed security guarantees as vital not just for Ukraine but for Europe as a whole. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the path forward “complicated” yet open, while NATO’s Mark Rutte hailed the progress but underscored the need for clear guidelines.
For now, optimism coexists with uncertainty. Trump continues to balance praise from allies with overtures to Putin, leaving the next phase of talks—potentially a trilateral summit—hanging on whether competing red lines can be bridged.