“When it comes to #security, they’re willing to put people on the ground,” #Trump said, referring to #Europe nations. “We’re willing to help them with *things*, especially *probably* ... by air because there’s nobody that has the kind of stuff we have.”

The issue of security guarantees for #Ukraine — & potential US involvement in them — has proved to be a sticking point for #TACO.

#Finland's President Alexander #Stubb told Finnish reporters after the meeting with #Trump:

- agreed on #security guarantees & steps forward

- Coalition of the Willing has already worked on security guarantees & will build on those

- There is nothing concrete about #US participation in security guarantees; Trump will inform

- Details of security guarantees to be ironed out in the next week or so

#Merz said #Trump was impressed [] that the Europeans had come with a unified front, & their discussions with the #US admin would now turn to details on #security guarantees for #Ukraine.

"It is absolutely clear that the whole of #Europe should participate," said Merz, praising Trump's announcement that the US is also prepared to provide them.

#Zelensky & #EU leaders are still at the White House & are now expected to stay for dinner (presumably to keep applying pressure), according to two people familiar with the plans.

Talks have moved to the Oval Office

Serhii Nikiforov, press secretary of the office of the President of Ukraine, told Ukrainian journalists that the negotiations had resumed in the Oval Office in a “leaders-only” format (not sure who that includes), according to a report from the foreign press pool at the White House.

#Trump meeting with #Zelensky & #EU leaders has concluded, White House says

It was not immediately clear if the leaders would reconvene in another format or when.

Trump earlier said he would invite the leaders back to the Oval Office after the meeting concluded.

Source isn’t fantastic — Bild German tabloid published by #AxelSpringer:

According to information from BILD reporter Paul Ronzheimer, #Trump interrupted the talks with the Europeans - for a phone call with Kremlin ruler Vladimir #Putin! After that, the round will continue.

#intervention #geopolitics #Russia #Ukraine #US #PutinsPuppet #StrongmanFanboy #TACO #StandWithUkraine
https://www.bild.de/politik/ausland/politik-ausland/ukraine-krieg-die-aktuelle-lage-im-live-ticker-83726300.bild.html

#Trump has interrupted the meeting with #Zelensky & #Europe leaders to call #Putin - Bild reports

The meeting is to be resumed after the call, Germany's top-selling Bild tabloid reported.

The Oval Office pre-meeting media blitz is over.

#Zelensky has officially survived the first public appearance with #Trump today.

Zelensky & Trump are now in closed-door talks, after which a group photo of Trump, Zelenskyy & the dignitaries from #Europe will follow before everyone meets in the East Room at 3PM to discuss how to end #Russia’s war against #Ukraine — that’s the plan anyway.

#Russia has launched a wave of attacks on #Ukraine cities as President #Zelensky arrived in Washington for talks with #Trump. While Ukrainians & Russians continue to die on the battlefield & in major cities, Zelensky is listening to Trump air #grievances & #ConspiracyTheories about the 2020 election & crime in Washington.

#Zelensky, when asked what #security guarantees #Ukraine needs from any peace deal, says, “Everything.”

Zelensky has repeatedly pushed for security guarantees for Ukraine to make sure that #Russia won’t just agree to a deal & then invade Ukraine again after regrouping.

#Trump said he woud speak to #Putin after the meetings today. “He is expecting my call when we’re finished,” he said.

#geopolitics ##PutinsPuppet #StrongmanFanboy #TACO #InternationalLaw #LawsOfWar #StandWithUkraine

#Trump says, “I don’t think you need a cease-fire,” doubling down on a position he adopted only AFTER his meeting with #Putin in Alaska. #Ukraine & #Europe have demanded that a #ceasefire come before
any negotiations over permanent #peace begin.

#Zelensky has arrived

[I’m not thrilled that Zelensky wore a jacket. At least he’s not wearing a tie.]