Overview

• Trump said he has begun arranging a direct meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky after calling the Russian leader during the White House talks, adding that a trilateral session with him would follow.
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Putin agreed to meet Zelensky and indicated the encounter could occur within two weeks, while Zelensky said he is ready for a bilateral followed by a trilateral.
• Zelensky said allies will formalize security guarantees for Ukraine within about ten days, and Trump described a framework in which European countries provide most guarantees in coordination with the United States.
• Differences persist over procedure, with Merz and other Europeans urging a ceasefire before higher‑level talks and Trump saying a ceasefire is not necessary.
• Fighting continued with deadly strikes reported in Kharkiv, territorial questions were left for future bilateral or trilateral discussions, and Emmanuel Macron warned of tougher sanctions if negotiations fail.