Summit in Washington: Trump wants Putin and Selenskyj’s quick two meetings

After the Ukraine summit in the White House in Washington, US President Donald Trump is now aiming for a two-meeting of Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. After that, there should be a three -way meeting in which he will also participate, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. He had previously received Selenskyj and several European heads of state and government as well as the leaders of the NATO and EU Commission in the White House.

According to Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), the Selenskyj Putin meeting is planned within the next two weeks. “Such a summit is only conceivable if the weapons are silent,” he emphasized at the same time. Selenskyj, on the other hand, agreed in Washington to meet Putin without priority.

Merz: “It could have gone differently”

Merz drew a positive record of the summit of several hours in the White House. “My expectations were actually not only hit, but exceeded,” said the CDU politician afterwards. “It could have gone differently.” It is “fateful days for Ukraine and for Europe”.

The consultations had been temporarily interrupted because Trump called Putin on the phone. At the start, Trump and Selenskyj had a bilateral conversation. This was later continued in the extended circle with Merz and the other top -class guests from Europe.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron, the British Prime Minister Keir Strandmer, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the Finnish President Alexander Stubb as well as EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Disagreement about the need for a ceasefire

Trump also also had an immediate ceasefire for Ukraine. However, after his meeting with Putin, he gave up this demand in Alaska last Friday. Not so Chancellor Merz: “I cannot imagine that the next meeting will take place without a break,” he said during the conversation in the expanded circle. “Let’s work and try to put pressure on Russia.”

Selenskyj, on the other hand, received the demand for a ceasefire before meeting Putin. “I think that we have to meet without any preconditions and have to think about how this path could go on to end the war,” he said after the talks. “We are ready for every format.” At the same time, he said that the demand for a ceasefire was justified as a prerequisite for peace negotiations.

At his meeting with Selenskyj, Trump said that he would like the concept of a fire break because it would immediately stop killing people. “But we can work on a deal where we aim at a peace agreement.” Previously, Selenskyj had emphasized at a meeting with the Europeans in the Ukrainian embassy in Washington: “Ukraine is ready for a real ceasefire and the establishment of a new security architecture.”

Formation of security guarantees further open

Trump evaluated questions about the stationing of US troops in Ukraine after a peace conclusion. He also left a question about concrete details about security guarantees for Ukraine. But he assured: “We will give you very good protection, very good security.”

Selenskyj described the security guarantees for his country – i.e. measures to protect against attacks – primarily for peace with Russia. “It is very important that the United States give a strong signal and are ready for these security guarantees.” In addition, the security of Ukraine also depends on the European allies.

NATO Secretary General Rutte called a big step that Trump agreed to participate in security guarantees. “This is really a breakthrough, and that makes the difference. I also thank you for that.”

The US broadcaster Fox News said in a later interview. It is also not about NATO membership of Ukraine, but “what we are discussing here are security guarantees for Ukraine in accordance with Article 5”.

Article 5 of the NATO contract regulates that in the event of an attack on the support of the Allies, the allies can count and an attack on a member is assessed as an attack on everyone. Even before the summit, a NATO -like promise of protection from the United States and European countries had been discussed with Ukraine – which would ultimately mean military intervention in the event of a robbery.

Merz: High German responsibility for security guarantees

Merz said the question of who participated in security guarantees, one had to discuss between the European partners and the US government. “It is completely clear that all of Europe should participate.” Germany has “a high level of responsibility” to do this. When asked whether the Bundeswehr could also participate, Merz replied that it was too early to give a final answer.

Russia does not want troops from NATO countries in Ukraine

Russia rejected a stationing of troops from NATO countries in Ukraine at the same time as the meeting in Washington after the British Premier Straßer had agreed. Great Britain continues to strive with such scenarios after an escalation in the conflict and bring NATO members to a dangerous border, from which it is not far to a great global conflict, warned the spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Sacharova.

Trump welcomes Selenskyj kindly this time

In contrast to the previous visit Selenskyjs in the White House in February, where an unprecedented scandal had occurred, Trump received him friendly this time. He greeted him at the door of the White House, both of them gave their hands and smiled together in the cameras. Trump briefly put his hand on Selenskyj’s shoulder and then let him enter the white house first.

Even in the first part of the bilateral meeting, in which journalists were able to ask questions, the discussion atmosphere remained harmonious. Fears from the European side, Trump could demonstrate Selenskyj similarly again as in February. At that time, the US President and his Vice JD Vance had passed the Ukrainian guest in front of running cameras – Selenskyj then left Washington prematurely.

Trump increases the pressure on selenskyj before meetings

Immediately before the meeting, Trump had increased the pressure on Selenskyj. In a post on his platform Truth, he did not turn to Kremlin chief Putin as an attacker, but wrote: “The Ukrainian President Selenskyj can end the war with Russia almost immediately if he wants, or he can continue.” At the same time, the Republican also declared the hoped-for NATO accession of Ukraine and a return of the Black Sea Peninsula Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.

During the meeting, Trump assured that there will be no solution to the Ukraine war against the will of Ukraine. “Ultimately, it is a decision that only President Selenskyj and the Ukrainian people can make – in collaboration with President Putin.”

Territorial questions – what will become of Donbass?

After the Alaska summit between Trump and Putin last Friday, unconfirmed media reports had increased that the US President saw the opportunity for a quick peace agreement if Ukraine leaves Russia to the entire Donbass. Includes are also strategically important areas that Russian armed forces have so far not been able to control.

In any case, area abrides, which Ukraine would then have to accept, have been repeatedly discussed again and again. For example, Russia demands that Ukraine do without a variety of areas, which Selenskyj categorically rejects. Shortly before the meeting, he also made it clear that the Crimea should never have been given up in his view.

Trump sees himself in the role of the pentifier of the peace

The aim of the negotiations intensified in the past few days is to achieve an end to the Russian attack war that Putin had ordered almost three and a half years ago. Trump sees herself in the role of the intermediary and peace pier, but also pursues his own – not least economic – interests of his government.

France’s head of state Emmanuel Macron considers a trump, Putin and Selenskyj to be crucial. “The idea of a trilateral meeting is very important because it is the only way to solve it,” he said. A robust and long -lasting peace is needed. He believes that a four -person meeting is probably also necessary – with the participation of Europe.

First of all, today, however, the “coalition of the willing” from Ukraine supporters and then the EU heads of state and government together are together in video switches. Then the results of the talks should be informed.