WASHINGTON. President Donald Trump said Monday that he has begun preparations for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to explore a possible path toward ending the war in Ukraine. He also affirmed that the United States would support European-led security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression once the conflict ends.

The announcement came after Trump, Zelenskyy, and several European leaders wrapped up an extended meeting at the White House. Leaders from Britain, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the European Commission, and NATO also took part. French President Emmanuel Macron said the “most important” outcome was Washington’s pledge to work with allies on security guarantees for Ukraine.

Trump revealed he had spoken by phone with Putin during the discussions and had “begun the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy.” He added that after the bilateral meeting, he planned to hold a trilateral session with both leaders.

It remains unclear whether Putin has agreed to such talks. Russian state media quoted Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov as saying that both leaders “spoke in favor” of continuing negotiations and of possibly raising them to a higher level.

Zelenskyy signaled a willingness to meet without preconditions. “If Russia does not demonstrate a will to meet, then we will ask the United States to act accordingly,” he told reporters. He had previously demanded a ceasefire before any direct talks, but said conditions on either side could stall progress.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that if Moscow resists direct negotiations, “the United States plus Europe will do more when it comes to tariffs and sanctions.”

Trump also suggested that issues such as a ceasefire and the status of territories seized by Russia should be resolved in face-to-face talks. This represented a shift from his earlier comments which appeared to lean toward Moscow’s territorial claims after his recent summit with Putin in Alaska.

While Trump stopped short of pledging U.S. troops for Ukraine’s defense, he floated the idea of a “NATO-like” presence under discussion with EU leaders. Zelenskyy said American involvement is critical: “It is important that the United States make a clear signal, namely that they will be among the countries that will help to coordinate and also will participate in security guarantees for Ukraine.”

The Kremlin, however, rejected any idea of a NATO peacekeeping force, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warning it could escalate tensions and cause “unpredictable consequences.”

European leaders voiced cautious optimism. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for a ceasefire at the next meeting, while Macron and others urged Trump to press Moscow harder. Trump maintained that a final settlement is “very attainable,” though “all of us would obviously prefer the immediate ceasefire while we work on a lasting peace.”

The developments come amid continued uncertainty over Russia’s intentions and concerns in Europe that Ukraine may be pressured into concessions. Still, both sides acknowledged that Trump’s effort to set up direct talks marks a significant new phase in the search for peace.