WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy convened in Washington on Tuesday for an urgent, high-stakes summit with key European allies, marking an unprecedented effort to negotiate an end to Russia's long-running invasion of Ukraine. Administration officials confirmed that President Trump intends to speak directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone following the conclusion of the talks.

The summit represents a significant and risky diplomatic maneuver by the Trump administration, aiming to break the brutal stalemate that has defined the conflict for years. The direct involvement of top-tier leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other NATO allies, underscores the gravity of the discussions, which are expected to focus on the framework of a potential peace settlement.

A United Front in Washington

Leaders gathered at the White House amidst intense international scrutiny. Prime Minister Starmer, who arrived in Washington on Monday, emphasized the need for a resolution. In a video posted to the social media platform X from his plane, he stated, "This war in Ukraine has been going on a really long time... We need to explore every avenue for a just and lasting peace."

The presence of European leaders is seen as critical to presenting a unified front and ensuring that any proposed deal addresses the security concerns of the entire continent. For years, Western policy has centered on supplying military aid to Ukraine and imposing economic sanctions on Russia. This summit signals a potential pivot towards direct, top-level negotiations, a hallmark of President Trump's diplomatic style.

Sources familiar with the discussions indicate that the agenda includes territorial integrity, security guarantees for Ukraine, and the potential easing of sanctions on Russia, contingent on a verifiable withdrawal of troops. However, the precise concessions being considered by any side remain closely guarded.

The Putin Call: A High-Risk Next Step

The most pivotal development announced is President Trump's plan to call President Putin once a consensus is reached with Zelenskyy and the European allies. This planned call is viewed by observers as the linchpin of the entire initiative. Proponents believe it could provide the direct channel necessary to broker a deal that has eluded traditional diplomatic efforts.

However, the move has also drawn concern from foreign policy experts and critics, who worry about the potential for premature concessions without concrete commitments from Moscow. The outcome of the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting will determine the leverage and the specific proposals the U.S. president takes into his conversation with the Russian leader.

The Kremlin has not yet officially commented on the Washington summit but has previously stated it is open to negotiations that recognize the "new realities on the ground."

Navigating a Path to Peace

The conflict, which began in 2022, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties and displaced millions, devastating Ukraine's infrastructure and economy. Previous peace talks have repeatedly failed, bogged down by intractable disagreements over territory and sovereignty.

This latest diplomatic push comes at a critical juncture. With military front lines largely static and both sides facing mounting costs, the political will for a negotiated settlement appears to be growing. For President Zelenskyy, securing a viable peace that does not compromise Ukrainian sovereignty is paramount. For President Trump, successfully mediating an end to the war would represent a monumental foreign policy achievement.

As the talks continue, the international community watches with a mixture of hope and apprehension. The coming days will be decisive, not only for the future of Ukraine but for the broader landscape of European and global security. The substance of the leaders' agreements and the subsequent call to Moscow will determine whether this high-stakes gamble can finally bring peace to the region.