Key Takeaways
- Trump Presses for Peace: President Trump urged Zelenskyy to consider a land swap deal with Russia, following his meeting with Putin, signaling his push for a practical end to the war.
- Europe at the Table: Finnish President Alexander Stubb joined Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House, ensuring Europe’s voice is part of the conversation and smoothing tensions.
- New Alliances Forming: Stubb, a trusted Trump ally since their March golf outing, highlighted Finland’s historic experience with Russia, reinforcing the urgency of finding a workable 2025 solution.
President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House on Monday, joined by Finnish President Alexander Stubb and other European allies. The high-stakes talks came days after Trump met with Vladimir Putin, where he urged Zelenskyy to consider a land swap deal with Russia as the pathway to peace.
Stubb’s attendance wasn’t just diplomatic theater. The Finnish leader — who has more than 800 miles of shared border with Russia — has been clear-eyed about Putin’s gamesmanship. “We might come from a small country, but we have a long border with Russia… we found a solution in 1944, and I’m sure that we’ll be able to find a solution in 2025 to end Russia’s war of aggression,” Stubb said. His presence was meant to reassure Trump that Europe would be invested in any follow-up talks, especially after Zelenskyy’s combative February visit turned into a media circus.
Trump, as always, is negotiating from strength. Unlike the endless “ceasefire” chatter from bureaucrats, his focus is on a real peace deal that holds — not a Band-Aid that falls apart at the first gunshot. Politico even called Stubb “one of Trump’s favorite interlocutors,” thanks to their March golf outing in Florida, where the two bonded and Trump gifted him a golf set.
The meeting signaled a shift: America is back in charge of global diplomacy, with Trump setting the terms. For Zelenskyy, the message was clear — work with Trump, or risk losing the best shot at ending this war on terms that protect Ukraine and keep America strong.