Pursuing Peace: What's Next after Trump's Meetings with Putin, Zelensky, and European Leaders
"...During the meeting we discussed Security Guarantees for Ukraine, which Guarantees would be provided by the various European Countries, with a coordination with the United States of America. Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine. At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy. After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself. Again, this was a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, are coordinating with Russia and Ukraine. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" -President Donald Trump, via Truth Social
[IFAPray.org] Father, we pray for Ukraine and Russia as they work toward peace. We pray President Trump would be a peacemaker, and we pray for a lasting end to this conflict. (Screengrab image: via Fox News)
On Monday, President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders in the White House. This meeting came after President Trump's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. In each discussion, every leader spoke about one thing: Ukraine.
The Russia-Ukraine war is nearly 4 years old. President Trump, meanwhile, has promised for years that he will end the war, guaranteeing it would happen on his first day in office. That obviously didn't come to pass, but the President has been hard at work since his inauguration, aiming to bring peace to Eastern Europe.
So what did President Trump talk about with these leaders over the past few days? Here's what you need to know.
No Ceasefire
President Trump has sought a ceasefire for months, and Ukraine expressed previously that a ceasefire was a necessary first step toward peace. Despite this, Putin refused to agree to a ceasefire during the summit in Alaska.
President Trump initially pushed back on the Russian leader, threatening "very severe consequences." However, by the end of the summit, the President had shifted his position, arguing the best way to end the war is with a lasting peace deal, not a mere ceasefire.
Despite this, the President received pushback from some European leaders. German chancellor Friedrich Merz pushed for a pause to the fighting, suggesting that the credibility of future negotiations hinge upon a ceasefire.
Territory Exchange
During the Alaskan summit, Putin demanded the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. This region, as well as the Crimean peninsula, has been a major source of tension, as Russia has cited protecting the Russian speaking population in these territories as a justification for invading Ukraine.
Zelensky initially rejected any proposal to cede territory. However, following his meeting with President Trump, he told reporters that the exchange of territory would be discussed in future trilateral meetings involving Putin, President Trump, and himself.
Security Guarantees
While President Trump has forbidden NATO membership, he did offer Ukraine security guarantees alongside Europe. And, surprisingly, Russia seemed to agree with these security guarantees during the Alaskan summit.
For his part, Zelensky seemed very excited about these security guarantees...
Putin may have soured on these security guarantees afterward. As Fox News reported at around 5 PM ET, "The Russian Foreign Ministry roundly rejected the idea of NATO forces serving as peacekeepers in Ukraine."
What's Next?
A trilateral meeting [after a bilateral meeting]. During his meeting with the President, Zelensky said he's open to a trilateral meeting with Putin, President Trump, and himself. And, with all that was discussed on Friday and Monday, this seems like the logical next step.
President Trump promised to phone Putin immediately after the meetings. He seemed intent on a future trilateral, suggesting a three-way meeting would be "a good chance for maybe ending" the conflict.
As intercessors, now is the time for us to pray. Let's pray for an end to the war in Ukraine, and let's pray for God's will to be done in Eastern Europe! Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here
