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Trump and Zelensky: Evolution of their relationship since heated Oval Office conversation
The relationship between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky has changed dramatically since their heated meeting in the Oval Office in February. Find out how the dynamics developed and what topics are on the agenda.
Trump and Zelensky: Evolution of their relationship since heated Oval Office conversation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected back at the White House on Monday after being harshly criticized by US hosts, canceling a planned reception and being abruptly asked to leave the West Wing. “He can come back when he’s ready for peace,” President Donald Trump said after the failed meeting in February. Now Zelensky returns to learn more about Trump's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and how Trump envisions peace in Ukraine.
Trump's attitude after the summit with Putin
At the meeting in February, Trump told Zelensky: “You don’t have the cards.” After the summit in Alaska, however, it was unclear how the cards had been redistributed. The first signs were not received positively by either the Ukrainian or the European side. Trump said he had given up hope for an immediate ceasefire and instead pushed for a comprehensive peace deal without insisting that the Russian bombings end before then.
European concerns and Trump's willingness for change
This stance contradicts statements from European leaders and Zelensky, who emphasize that Ukraine cannot be forced to negotiate its future while it is under constant attack from Moscow. Trump also appeared open to Putin's plans to accept large land concessions from Ukraine as a condition for the end of the war. He had told European officials by telephone that Putin had not backed down from his demand for the entire eastern Donbas region, suggesting the war could be resolved quickly if Zelensky agreed to give it up.
Hopes for US security guarantees
Trump's willingness to provide security guarantees for Ukraine after the end of the war has raised hopes among some European officials. However, the exact details of what he is willing to offer are unknown. This will lead to crucial conversations in the Oval Office as Trump pushes for an end to a conflict he once promised to resolve on the day he took office.
Improved relations between Trump and Zelensky
Since the February incident, Trump and Zelensky have made significant progress in repairing their relations. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have offered Zelensky tips on how to appeal to Trump, advising him to take a less confrontational stance and be more open about his gratitude for U.S. support. Zelensky expressed his gratitude for the invitation to Washington on X.
A sign of unity in the political landscape
European leaders will also be invited to Trump's meeting with Zelensky, and it is unclear which leaders will attend. Still, this could be a sign of unity toward Zelensky, who enjoys European support. Official sources report that Finnish President Alexander Stubb, with whom Trump has developed a friendship over golf, will also be included in the talks.
The meaning of the invitation to the Oval Office
The invitation to the Oval Office a few days after the summit with Putin has great symbolic weight. While Putin received a lavish reception in Anchorage, he was not seen alongside the US president in the Oval Office, a room he has not entered since 2005.
The political decisions and personal encounters between Trump and Zelensky could be crucial for the future relationship between the USA, Ukraine and Russia. Given the many challenges that lie ahead on both sides, it remains to be seen how these talks will develop and what measures will follow.