Washington, Aug 19 (V7N) – The tone was strikingly cordial at the White House on Monday when U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders. Gone was the tension of their previous Oval Office encounter; this time, there were handshakes, laughter, and a surprisingly cooperative air that lasted throughout the meeting.
 
Pressed by reporters on whether the United States would deploy troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping mission, Trump did not rule out the possibility—but gave no formal commitment either. He emphasized, “I can never say that, it’s never the end of the road,” when asked whether failure to strike a peace deal would end U.S. support.
 
This summit comes on the heels of Trump’s contentious meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and follows deeply strained relations earlier this year, when Zelenskyy was abruptly ushered out of the Oval Office after facing harsh criticism from Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
 
During Monday’s talks, Trump also stepped back from insisting on a ceasefire as a prerequisite for peace—a stance widely opposed by Ukraine and its European allies. Instead, he appeared open to deeper security collaboration, including potential U.S. involvement and NATO-style guarantees, while still encouraging Europe to serve as the "first line of defense."
 
Following the meeting, European leaders reiterated their solidarity with Ukraine and emphasized the necessity of involving Kyiv directly in any peace negotiations. Trump indicated that he is arranging a trilateral summit that would include Zelenskyy and Putin, aiming for broader diplomatic engagement over territorial issues and long-term security arrangements.
 
END/WD/AJ/