Visiting joint session of Congress in Washington, DC on September 22, 2021 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They came together to talk about the war in Ukraine and Russia’s aggression. It was remarkable that meeting, which occurred in the Oval Office. For leaders, the moment came with not just a chance to address Ukraine’s immediate security needs but expand the possibilities for future cooperation and assistance.
At the time of the meeting, President Trump had already signaled that a ceasefire was not possible. He claimed that a total stop of hostilities is not possible at this point. “All of us would obviously prefer an immediate ceasefire while we work on a lasting peace. Maybe something like that could happen. As of this moment, it’s not happening,” he remarked. This statement highlighted the realities, challenges, and political pressures that often shape peace talks in the area.
Zelenskyy was thankful for Trump’s support and willingness to meet and discuss a few urgent matters in person. Trump further demonstrated his rapport with the Ukrainian president by putting his hand on Zelenskyy’s back while walking into the Oval Office. This simple gesture marked a profound moment of solidarity between the two leaders.
The meetings largely centered on what security guarantees to provide Ukraine, something both leaders admitted to the need for. Even with this agreement, the details were still unclear. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would be willing to work with Russia in any format to come to peace. He doubted the effectiveness of doing drill deals without addressing territorial concerns directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “There indeed is a package with our proposals worth $90bn,” Zelenskyy stated, highlighting the financial framework that could underpin future agreements.
Zelenskyy talked about the goal of reaching security guarantees within ten days. The Ukrainian leader underscored Ukraine’s seriousness about buying up to $90 billion of U.S. weaponry. Europe will pay for this agreement as part of a larger deal. This massive new commitment could offer a much-needed boon to the strapped U.S. arms industry.
Trump has sent out positive signals about resolving the conflict, including that he thinks he’s got the talent to handle these kinds of intransigent, complicated disputes. He noted that recent discussions with Putin revealed the Russian leader’s willingness to meet Zelenskyy within the next two weeks, which could pave the way for direct dialogue. “Everyone is very happy about the possibility of peace for Russia/Ukraine,” Trump emphasized during the meeting.
The discussion delved into personal and sensitive issues, including land swaps. It further focused on the need to ensure humanitarian access and preserve stability across the existing frontlines in the war zone. Trump remarked, “We need to discuss the possible exchanges of territory, taking into consideration the current line of contact – that means the war zone.”
In a larger context, Zelenskyyy’s visit happened at an unusually volatile time in Ukraine, as violence surged. A large-scale Russian bombardment overnight targeted the Kremenchuk and Lubny districts of central Ukraine. The assault left hundreds without power, putting many at risk, and opened fire on multiple administrative buildings. Aftermath of today’s Russia drone attack in Ukraine’s Chernihiv region, incurring major damage to infrastructure. This attack had the effect of cutting off electricity to hundreds of thousands in northern Ukraine, including Kyiv.
As discussions progressed, Keir Starmer, a prominent European leader present at the meeting, noted, “There was a real sense of unity between the European leaders that were there and President Trump and President Zelenskyy.” This unambiguous statement showed a new day among leaders in their intent and willingness to work together to tackle the long-standing crisis together.