Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced his readiness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, following a 40-minute phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and the Kremlin leader aimed at jumpstarting peace negotiations.

The announcement came after a day of intensive talks at the White House, where Zelensky met with Trump and a coalition of European leaders to discuss the future of Ukraine’s security and territorial integrity. Trump, who has positioned himself as a mediator in the conflict, revealed that Putin expressed interest in a bilateral summit with Zelensky, potentially within the next two weeks.

“We had very good talks today about sensitive matters including security guarantees,” Zelensky told reporters. “Ukraine is ready for any format to meet with Putin. We need not a pause, but real peace.”

Trump emphasized that European nations would coordinate security guarantees for Ukraine, with the U.S. playing a supporting role. 

He also stated that a ceasefire was not a prerequisite for negotiations, a position that drew concern from French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, both of whom reiterated the need for a formal ceasefire before any lasting agreement.

The proposed meeting between Zelensky and Putin marks a potential turning point in the war, which has dragged on since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. However, skepticism remains among European officials, with Finnish President Alexander Stubb warning that Putin “is rarely to be trusted” and may be “playing for time.”

Despite the cautious optimism, Zelensky made clear that any peace deal must include robust security guarantees and avoid repeating past mistakes.

“Peace must be lasting,” he said. “Not like it was years ago, when Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea and part of our East—and Putin simply used it as a springboard for a new attack.”

The trilateral summit, if confirmed, could be held in a neutral location, with Trump offering to attend if both leaders agree. The Kremlin has yet to officially confirm the meeting, but sources suggest Moscow is considering the proposal.