Zelenskyy outlines Ukraine peace efforts after White House visit; Emphasizes security guarantees, humanitarian steps, and readiness for trilateral summit with Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a detailed statement following his high-level meetings in Washington, emphasizing the progress made toward a comprehensive peace agreement with Russia. The statement, translated from Ukrainian, highlighted several critical areas of discussion, including security guarantees, humanitarian concerns, and the acceptance of the proposal of a trilateral summit with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

President Zelenskyy underscored the importance of establishing robust security guarantees for Ukraine, a central theme in the discussions with US President Donald Trump and European leaders. He noted that these guarantees are essential for Ukraine's defense and for ensuring the security of the entire European continent.

The Ukrainian president expressed appreciation for the United States' commitment to being involved in providing these security assurances, marking a significant step in international support for Ukraine.

Return of children and prisoner releases

A significant portion of the talks focused on humanitarian issues, particularly the return of Ukrainian children and the release of prisoners of war and civilians detained by Russian forces. President Zelenskyy reported that all parties agreed to work collaboratively on these matters, aiming to address the immediate needs of affected individuals and families.

Trilateral summit proposal

President Zelenskyy discussed the proposal for a trilateral summit involving himself, President Trump, and President Putin. He emphasized that such a meeting is necessary to resolve sensitive issues and to move closer to a lasting peace. The Ukrainian president expressed readiness to engage in this dialogue.

Unity among allies

The statement also acknowledged the strong unity demonstrated by the United States and European leaders during the meetings. President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to all the leaders who participated, including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. He noted that their collective support and coordinated efforts are vital in bringing Ukraine closer to peace.

Concluding his statement, President Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace. He expressed confidence that the steps taken during the Washington meetings would pave the way for a resolution that respects Ukraine's sovereignty and ensures the security of its people.