The scene was familiar—U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sitting in the Oval Office, with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the couch to Trump’s left. But unlike the last time this particular scene unfolded, there was no shouting match and even a few moments of levity.
Here’s what you need to know.
Less fireworks
Zelensky headed off one particular flashpoint from February’s meeting even before a word was said, by wearing a suit this time. He even had a good-natured exchange with Brian Glenn, a correspondent with right-wing news outlet Real America’s Voice whose question about the Ukrainian leader’s more casual attire back in February further stoked an already contentious argument. “You look fabulous in that suit,” Glenn quipped on Monday, before apologizing to Zelensky for his previous attack. “You are in the same suit,” Zelensky shot back, to laughter from Trump and others in the room.
Zelensky also thanked Trump for his continued support on multiple instances, blunting the other infamous attack by Vance that kick-started their disagreement during the last meeting.
Trump also appeared to be in a more gracious mood this time around. “We’re going to have a meeting. I think if everything works out well today, we’re going to have a trilat,” he said, referring to a proposed trilateral meeting with Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. “And I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that.”
U.S. troops in Ukraine?
Another sign of how far Trump has shifted on his previous support for Ukraine came in response to multiple questions from the press gaggle on whether he would send in U.S. troops to ensure Ukraine’s security as part of a final peace deal. In a possibly encouraging sign for Ukraine, he did not rule it out.
“When it comes to security, there’s going to be a lot of help. It’s going to be good,” Trump said, referring to the European countries whose leaders he was scheduled to meet with later on Monday. “They are the first line of defense because they’re there,” he added, “but we’re going to help them out also. We’ll be involved.”
Cease-fire prospects
Ahead of his meeting with Putin in Alaska on Friday, Trump had threatened “severe consequences” if the Russian president did not agree to a cease-fire, but Trump softened his stance right after the meeting and called instead for the two sides to work toward a final peace agreement.
He reiterated that new stance on Monday: “I don’t think you need a cease-fire.”
“I like the concept of a cease-fire for one reason: because you’d stop killing people immediately, as opposed to in two weeks or one week or whatever it takes,” Trump added, “but we can work a deal where we’re working on a peace deal while they’re fighting. They have to fight. I wish they could stop, I’d like them to stop, but strategically, that could be a disadvantage for one side or the other.”
Next steps
Trump repeatedly mentioned the European leaders who traveled to Washington and will join the two men for wider talks later on Monday. “We’re going to be meeting with a great representative group—seven very powerful, very big countries and great people—all friends of mine and friends of yours,” he said, gesturing to Zelensky. “We’re going to have some suggestions made. They want to see peace.”
As for Putin? Trump said he spoke to the Russian president “indirectly” before sitting down with Zelensky. “He’s expecting my call when we’re finished with this meeting,” the U.S. president added.
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