Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Keith Kellogg and President Donald Trump, asserting that Russia can be compelled into peace only through force and that Trump possesses that power. The visit underscores the importance of joint diplomatic effort to secure lasting security for Ukraine and Europe.
Zelensky’s Meeting with Kellogg
Zelensky crossed the White House threshold after 19:00 to meet President Donald Trump. Earlier, the Ukrainian leader met with Gen. Keith Kellogg, the White House’s special envoy for Ukraine. “Thank you Keith for the meeting and for the joint work of our teams. President Trump invited Ukraine and other European nations to Washington today—this is the first meeting of its kind and it is very serious,” he wrote. He emphasized that “when we talk about peace for a European state, it means peace for all of Europe.” “We are ready to continue working with maximum effort to end the war and ensure lasting security. These are key issues,” he added.
Zelensky: Russia Can Be Forced into Peace Only by Force
President Zelensky reminded of the nightly attacks by Russia, stressing that among those killed by Russian shells were children. “People simply lay down to sleep while the Russian army began city attacks,” he wrote. He added that during his meeting with Kellogg, the situation on the battlefield and Ukraine’s strong diplomatic abilities were discussed. “Russia can only be forced into peace by force, and President Trump has that power. We must do everything we can to establish peace,” he said.
Ukraine is Ready for a Real Ceasefire
In a second post, Zelensky highlighted that his Washington visit aims to achieve “stable and lasting peace for Ukraine and all of Europe.” All meetings, he said, are moving toward that result. He noted that joint pressure from Europe and the U.S. on Russia is crucial because the aggressor will not abandon its invasion attempts. “We must stop the killings and thank our partners working toward a stable and dignified peace,” he said. He also mentioned that together with leaders from the United Kingdom, Italy, the European Council, and NATO’s Secretary‑General, they had agreed on a stance before meeting Trump. “Ukraine is ready for a real ceasefire and to create a new security architecture. We need peace,” the post read.
Meeting with European Leaders
Before meeting President Trump, Zelensky met with leaders from the European Union, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Finland. At 19:00 (Poland time), U.S. President Donald Trump will host the Ukrainian president at the White House. Two hours later, other European politicians will join the meeting.
