Trump Engages with World Leaders on Ukraine Peace Talks

In what promises to be another hectic week, President Donald Trump is preparing for significant diplomatic engagements in Washington, D.C. The focus of his meetings with foreign leaders will revolve around negotiations aimed at securing a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, a conflict that has drawn global attention and concern.

Meetings with Key European Leaders

In his fifth week back in the Oval Office, Trump is scheduled to meet with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. This announcement follows Macron’s urgent call for an emergency gathering of world leaders, especially after concerns arose regarding the exclusion of European nations from recent negotiations intended to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz discussed these developments during an appearance on Fox News’ “America Reports.”

According to Waltz, there has been a marked shift in the conversation surrounding the war, stating, “Just a few months ago, everyone was talking about this war as though it would never end. In just a very short amount of time, President Trump has us, everyone – the Ukrainians, the Russians, the Europeans – talking about it now and debating…. Only President Trump could drive that shift in conversation.” This indicates Trump’s ability to galvanize discussions that have been stagnant for months.

The Excluded Player: Ukraine

Last week, U.S. officials—including Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff—met in Riyadh with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Yuri Ushakov, a senior advisor to President Vladimir Putin, to explore avenues for ending the conflict. Notably, Ukraine was absent from these significant discussions, a fact that has incensed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy has adamantly stated that Ukraine will not accept any peace deal without its direct involvement in the negotiations. Addressing reporters in Turkey, he emphasized, “Nobody decides anything behind our back,” underlining Ukraine’s refusal to be sidelined in talks that directly affect its sovereignty and future.

Trump’s Frustration with Zelenskyy

In a striking escalation of rhetoric, Trump recently expressed his frustrations toward Zelenskyy, questioning his negotiating skills. “I’ve been watching this man for years now as his cities get demolished, as his people get killed, as his soldiers get decimated,” Trump told Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade. “He has no cards, and you get sick of it.” His Anger culminated in a blunt assessment, urging for a more effective negotiation strategy from the Ukrainian leader.

Continuing his critique, Trump remarked, “I’ve seen it enough, and then he complains that he’s not at a meeting that we’re having with Saudi Arabia trying to intermediate peace. He’s been there for three years and nothing got done.” Trump’s frustrations have raised concerns amongst European allies, who have consistently supported Ukraine throughout the ongoing war.

European Leaders Respond

Macron, who is set to meet with Trump on Monday, has indicated that he will adopt a tough stance in discussions with the U.S. President. In a recent social media interaction, he expressed his commitment to emphasizing the need for strength against Putin, stating, “Deep down you cannot be weak in the face of President Putin. It’s not you, it’s not what you’re made of, and it’s not in your interests.”

Similarly, Prime Minister Starmer reflected on the importance of Ukrainian involvement in peace talks. Conveying concerns from the U.K., he stated, “Nobody wants the bloodshed to continue,” while firmly asserting that “there could be no discussion about Ukraine without Ukraine.” He underscored the need for a secure future for the people of Ukraine in any negotiations moving forward.

White House’s Outlook on Peace Negotiations

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt provided insights to media members over the weekend, expressing optimism in achieving a peace deal as soon as this week. “The president and his team are very much focused on continuing negotiations with both sides of this war to end the conflict, and the president is very confident we can get it done this week,” she affirmed, indicating a sense of urgency and hopefulness amid ongoing tensions.

Conclusion

As President Trump prepares to engage with key European leaders, the stakes remain incredibly high. The ongoing war in Ukraine has not only humanitarian repercussions but also significant geopolitical implications. With European allies expressing alarm over Trump’s recent comments about Zelenskyy, the need for a unified front in negotiating peace has never been more critical. The outcomes of Trump’s meetings with Macron and Starmer could shape the future of the conflict and redefine the roles of the key players involved.

Fox News Digital’s Bailee Hill, Morgan Phillips, and Diana Stancy contributed to this report.