President Donald Trump pledged “a lot of help” to Ukraine in a meeting Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that was far more congenial than the last time the two leaders sat face to face in the Oval Office of the White House. European and NATO leaders later joined Trump and Zelensky for additional discussions, with several thanking Trump for his role in the talks and emphasizing the need for a peace deal. Speaking to reporters, Trump said the United States would be “involved” in keeping peace in Ukraine after any peace agreement with Russia, though he did not elaborate on the U.S. role. Trump continued to maintain his view that a ceasefire is not necessary to achieve peace, a view that echoes Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Follow Trump’s second term
President Donald Trump, who’s touted his role as world peacemaker during his second term, said Monday only the Russia-Ukraine war remains for him to settle.
“With all of the wars that I got involved in, we only have this one left,” he said.
Trump did not mention Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza, which began 22 months ago. Last month, Trump said he was “trying to get things straightened out” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
