Zelensky Backs Trump’s Role in Ending Ukraine War Ahead of White House Meeting

As he prepares for a crucial meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed strong support for Trump's potential to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. In a post on X, Zelensky said only the United States has the “strength to force Russia into peace” — and that Trump embodies that strength.

“Russia can only be forced into peace through strength, and President Trump has that strength. We have to do everything right to make peace happen,” Zelensky wrote. His comments came after a meeting with U.S. special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, and several European leaders.

Zelensky also stressed the broader importance of peace, saying, “When peace is discussed for one country in Europe, it means peace for all of Europe. We are ready to continue working with maximum effort to end the war and ensure reliable security.”

He condemned ongoing Russian attacks, revealing that two children were killed in a recent overnight strike on Ukrainian cities. “People were simply sleeping when the Russian army launched strikes. We discussed the battlefield situation and our joint diplomatic strength — Ukraine’s and Europe’s, alongside America,” he added.

Zelensky is set to meet Trump at the White House on Monday, a highly anticipated reunion following their tense and widely watched Oval Office encounter several years ago — which included a public confrontation with current U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

This latest meeting comes shortly after Trump held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about a possible ceasefire. Several top European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, are also expected to attend the discussions in Washington.