White House prepares three-way summit with Putin and Zelensky, hypothesis Budapest. US planes to protect Kiev

Pressed by reporters' questions on what kind of support the US will give to Ukraine, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt did not rule out air support. "It's an option and a possibility," she said. "I can tell you that he has definitely ruled out the use of troops on the ground," the official said, adding that Trump could still consider other military support options.

On the instructions of Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Luciano Portolano, will take part in the next few hours in the talks to be held in the United States with the military representatives of the nations that were present at the summit yesterday. The meeting will focus on planning and defining concrete measures to guarantee Ukraine solid security instruments in the event of a ceasefire or the start of a peace process. "Italian participation at this round table," stressed Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, "confirms our country's desire to contribute, together with its allies and international partners, to the stability and security of Europe". The presence of the Chief of Defence Staff represents a fundamental operational contribution of Italy within the international coordination aimed at supporting peace paths and strengthening collective security.

Geneva is gaining momentum as the possible venue for the 'historic' bilateral between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. In the midst of frenetic diplomatic activity, between the summit in Washington and the European Council meeting by video-call, there is optimism - as never since the beginning of the invasion - for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Donald Trump continues to have the ball in his hand, but Europe seems not to accept the role of supporting actress to which the activism of the head of the White House has relegated it. And the hypothesis of a summit in the Swiss city seems to find broad support, while the Tsar launches the 'provocation' of hosting it in Moscow. French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to hold 'the meeting of the century' in Geneva aims precisely at relaunching Europe's role as a political subject that goes beyond the borders of the EU. Italy supports this choice, as stressed by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani,

Military teams from the Coalition of the Willing "will meet with their US counterparts in the coming days" to discuss plans to provide "robust security guarantees" to Ukraine and "prepare for the deployment of a reassurance force" once the conflict with Russia is over. This is according to the note released by Downing Street after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer co-chaired with French President Emmanuel Macron a virtual conference with more than 30 leaders of the countries gathered in the coalition of the willing. Further pressure on Moscow through sanctions was also discussed. (ANSA).

Vladimir Putin allegedly suggested Moscow to host a meeting of his with Volodymyr Zelensky. This was reported by two sources familiar with the phone call between Donald Trump and the Russian president. "Putin mentioned Moscow" during their call on Monday, one of the sources told Afp, adding that Zelensky replied "no". (ANSA-AFP)

The NATO military leadership will meet tomorrow to discuss the Ukrainian conflict, Reuters news agency reports without adding further details.

"The leaders of the 27 EU member states met today. 1. It was confirmed that the danger of a third world war can only be reduced through a Trump-Putin meeting. 2. It was confirmed that the strategy based on isolation has failed. 3. It was confirmed that there is no frontline solution to the war between Russia and Ukraine; only diplomatic efforts can lead to a solution. 4. It has been confirmed that Ukraine's membership in the European Union does not offer security guarantees; therefore, linking membership to security guarantees is unnecessary and dangerous'. This was written on X by the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, after the EU summit held today by video conference.

"Hungary," he added, "welcomes the steps taken in the Trump-Putin talks and supports the continuation of the negotiation process, with particular regard to a second Trump-Putin meeting. We keep the Hungarian initiative on the Union's agenda to propose a Europe-Russia summit as soon as possible."

European leaders in Washington showed unity and avoided a 'cave-in to Putin but the road map for peace remains vague'. So says the New York Times in an analysis of the meetings in Alaska first and at the White House. "In both cases no decision was made. Nothing has changed," said Gerard Araud, the French ambassador to the US during Trump's first term. "Zelensky and the seven European leaders rushed to Washington for a reason: they do not believe in Trump's commitment to a free and independent Ukraine," noted Nicholas Burns, former US ambassador to Nato and China. Precisely the future of the transatlantic alliance, diplomats and analysts warn, remains in the balance as Trump could change tone at a moment's notice. "Although Trump has been effective in convincing Nato allies to commit to a historic increase in defence spending, he has failed," Burns pointed out, "to address the greatest threat to the alliance's future: a vengeful and violent Vladimir Putin.

Russia has returned to Ukraine the bodies of one thousand dead Ukrainian soldiers, most of them fallen at the front, as part of previous agreements between the two warring countries. This was announced by Kiev. "The bodies of one thousand deceased were returned to Ukraine" by the Russians, who indicated they were Ukrainian soldiers, Kiev reported. "Unfortunately, among the repatriated corpses are the bodies of five Ukrainian soldiers who died during captivity," they pointed out from the government agency following the dossier, assuring that tests will be carried out for identifications.

"The West united, to build peace and ensure the security of our nations and peoples," writes Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on X, sharing a clip with some images of her participation in the Washington talks on Ukraine.

The head of the British armed forces is going to the US today for 'in-depth talks' on American involvement in security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement. This is reported by Bbc News, according to which Prime Minister Keir Starmer has instructed the Chief of Defence Staff, Sir Tony Radakin, to work out the details of measures to protect Kiev with the major US ally.

"At today's European Council, convened by President Antonio Costa, we are discussing progress in our efforts to bring peace to Ukraine. In Washington D.C., talks have moved forward on solid security guarantees for Ukraine, an end to bloodshed, sanctions and the return of deported children. Our work and close cooperation continue'. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote this in a social media post.

La presidente della Commissione europea, Ursula von der Leyen.

US President Donald Trump has received an invitation to visit Russia. This was said by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, quoted by Tass.

'It was the best day Ukraine has had in a long time'. This is how CNN describes Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the White House, stressing that, unlike the previous meeting, this time there was no confrontation with Donald Trump. According to the broadcaster, the US president offered 'tantalizing glimpses' of how he could 'achieve presidential greatness by saving Ukraine, ensuring the security of Europe and truly deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize'. In support of Kiev, a 'compact and unusually united' European front tried to channel Trump towards a common line, with the aim of averting concessions to Vladimir Putin.

Switzerland will offer "immunity" to Vladimir Putin, who is the subject of an international arrest warrant, on condition that he comes to the country "for a peace conference". This was stated by Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis during a press point in Bern, as the possibility of a bilateral meeting between the Russian president and Vodolymyr Zelensky in Geneva gained momentum. Last year, the federal government defined "the rules for granting immunity to a person subject to an international arrest warrant... if this person comes for a peace conference, not if he comes for private reasons,' the minister explained.

"Regarding EU enlargement, I have no elements to say that it was discussed yesterday" at the summit at the White House, "but our position is clear: Ukraine's accession is a decision for Kiev. For our part, the commitment to pursue the enlargement path is total. We have been working with the Ukrainians on this process for years, and the progress made in meeting the requirements is remarkable'. This was stated by an EU Commission spokeswoman during the daily press briefing, recalling that the EU executive has already proposed to the member states to open the first chapter of the accession negotiations, and that "it is now up to the member states to take this decision forward".

Yesterday was 'a long day, but a good day, a productive day,' British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a video posted on his social media following the summit at the White House. There are two main outcomes of the summit according to Starmer. Firstly, the British PM expressed his satisfaction with the unity in favour of Ukraine's security guarantees. The second outcome, according to the PM, is the possibility of 'a bilateral meeting between President Putin and President Zelensky'. A meeting that could be followed by a 'trilateral meeting with President Trump', he added.

The Russian Defence Ministry said that last night its armed forces bombed with missiles and drones an oil refinery that "fuels Ukrainian forces in the Donbass". "The target of the attack was reached," the ministry added, without specifying the location of the facility.

The national security advisers of the parties present at the White House summit yesterday - according to diplomatic sources - will take over the work later this week to put pen to paper on the possible details of the security guarantees offered to Ukraine, which US President Donald Trump has said he is willing to participate in. "We do not currently have a clear picture of what these will be, the teams of the parties present at the meeting will continue to discuss over the coming weeks," a European Commission spokeswoman said.

In Washington, 'one of the messages we discussed is about strong security guarantees that must focus first and foremost on strengthening the Ukrainian army. President von der Leyen was very clear on this point, including in her speech on Sunday at the press conference with President Zelensky; she also welcomed the US commitment to participate in these security guarantees'. So says European Commission spokeswoman Arianna Podestà at the daily press briefing.

'The president herself,' she added, 'hinted on Sunday that this could be a form of guarantee modelled on Article 5 and also confirmed that Europe is already contributing, continuing to strengthen the Ukrainian Armed Forces and, at the same time, strengthening European defence. At this stage, we have no specific messages on what these security guarantees should look like. What I can say is that the teams will continue to work on the details of these security guarantees, also in the coming weeks, including the teams from the United States, the European countries represented at the meeting and, of course, also the representatives of the Commission, and then we will have to go from there.

Possible talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin could take place in Hungary, Reuters reported, citing a US administration source. With Rome's option dropped, after Italy's support for Geneva's candidacy, the city of Calvin could be undermined by a city in the Magyar territory. Budapest, in fact, has always been a critical voice within the European Union and has never denied its collaboration with Moscow. An aspect that does not displease the Kremlin.

'All smoke and no fire'. This is how the Guardian described yesterday's summit at the White House between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, noting how the meeting went off without 'explosions' ('the best possible for Zelensky'), but also with few concrete results. The British newspaper dwelled on the 'soft' start in the Oval Office, when 'pro-Trump' journalist Brian Glenn complimented Zelensky on his black suit, apologising after criticism of the military outfit he wore last February. The Guardian points out that 'real estate developer Trump has focused mainly on self-promotion, boasting that he has resolved six conflicts - including one in the fictional 'Republic of the Condo' ('Republic of the Condo', the tycoon's slip of the tongue probably referring to the 'Republic of the Congo') - and reiterating several times how the current one was 'Joe Biden's war'.

Helping to keep the proceedings on diplomatic tracks were the European leaders present, who insisted on the need for a ceasefire before discussing borders and peace. "Trump did not seem to take offence," the newspaper wrote, although he had already ruled out this option. The most tense moment occurred when Zelensky started listing Ukrainian priorities: Macron 'turned dark in the face', Trump tried to interrupt him, until the Ukrainian leader quickly ended the intervention. Bringing the climate back to calm was NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte,' the newspaper concludes, 'who addressed the American president with the words he most wanted to hear: 'Thank you'.

"We do not reject any form of work - neither bilateral nor trilateral, the president has said so many times. The important thing is that any format - '1+1', '1+2', or the many multilateral formats, including within the UN framework - is used not so that the next day someone writes about it in the newspapers, shows it on television in the evening, or comments on social media trying to collect propaganda hooey," Lavrov said live on broadcaster Rossija 24. "But so that step by step, gradually, starting from the expert level and then going through all the necessary stages, summits can be prepared. This is the approach we will always support," the minister added, hinting that these summit meetings could not take place any time soon.

"I want to emphasise it again: we have never talked about the fact that we simply needed to conquer some territories. Neither Crimea, nor Donbass, nor Novorossiya as territories were ever our goal'. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said this, quoted by Ria Novosti. "Our goal was to protect the people, the Russians, who have been living on these lands for centuries, who opened these lands, shed their blood for them both in Crimea and in the Donbass, creating cities. Odessa, Nikolaev, many others, ports, factories, plants,' he added.

'There was a positive climate. It was evident in the statements made by Presidents Putin and Trump after the talks. A useful conversation, no doubt," the Russian foreign minister added, commenting on the Anchorage summit and underlining the commitment of US President Donald Trump and his team to seeking a lasting solution to the Ukrainian crisis. "One could clearly see that the head of the United States and his team want to reach an outcome that is long-term, stable and reliable," Lavrov added to Russia-24. The diplomacy chief contrasted Trump's posture with the European one, noting, "Unlike the Europeans, who were repeating everywhere at the time that only a ceasefire was needed and that they would continue to supply weapons to Ukraine afterwards."

"There will be security guarantees". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated this in a post on X, in the aftermath of the Washington summit with Donald Trump and European leaders. "Important talks were held yesterday in Washington between the President of the United States and European leaders. This was a truly significant step towards ending the war and guaranteeing the security of Ukraine and our people,' he wrote, 'We are already working on the concrete content of security guarantees. Today we are continuing the coordination at the level of leaders. There will be discussions and we are preparing the relevant formats. We will continue to work tomorrow. The national security advisors are also now in constant contact'.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will take part in a video conference of the Coalition of the Willing today at 12.15pm. This follows yesterday's meeting in Washington and continues the ongoing consultations on the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine. This is what spokesman Stefan Cornelius announced in a statement. Afterwards, at 1 p.m., Merz will take part in a video conference organised by European Council President Antonio Costa, the note continues, to report to all members of the European Council on the discussions held the previous day in Washington

The meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymir Zelensky could take place in Hungary, a US administration source told Reuters, as quoted in Meduza. Russia has not yet commented on the announcement by Donald Trump yesterday at the White House. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz anticipated that the bilateral meeting between the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine could be organised within the next two weeks. The government of Hungary, a member of the European Union, maintains close relations with Russia.

A coalition of 30 countries, including Japan and Australia, led by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron has been working on a framework with security guarantees in Kiev for the past couple of months, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced in an interview with Fox News after yesterday's meetings at the White House. US participation in this project will be discussed in the coming days, he added. Yesterday, he confirmed, no agreement emerged on the deployment of European military personnel in Ukraine, nor was the role of the US in the process of securing a truce clarified.

In the debate on security guarantees for Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul sees a challenge for Germany. 'At the end of the day, it must simply mean: we support Ukraine not only in words, but also in deeds,' Wadephul told Deutschlandfunk radio. The decisive factor is that the US is now willing to support security guarantees. Germany will also face challenges. What Germany can contribute to this is to be discussed in the coalition and in the Bundestag. 'But it is clear: Germany has taken on a leadership role, and leadership always means taking responsibility'. Moreover, after the Ukrainian summit in Washington, Wadephul sees Russian President Vladimir Putin as the main actor in the efforts to end the war. 'Putin is now called upon,' the minister said. If he does not act now, US President Donald Trump must also recognise this. There must be consequences and sanctions must be tightened, the German minister remarked. The German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, spoke of a possible mandate from the Bundestag regarding the German presence for security guarantees for Kiev. 'Any possible German participation certainly requires a mandate. But we are still far from that,' Wadephul said, adding that diligence and reliability are now essential. There is 'for the first time a serious possibility that this terrible war (...) can be resolved. And for that, every effort is worthwhile'.

At least eight people were killed and 54 wounded in Russian attacks launched across Ukraine in the 24 hours up to this morning, reports CNN. Five people died in towns behind the front lines in the Donetsk region (east), while three were killed and 33 injured in Russian attacks on the town of Zaporizhzhia, according to military authorities in the two regions. Russian attacks also injured civilians in Kharkiv, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk and Nikopol

All working immediately with the aim of preventing Russia from demanding restrictions on the size of Kiev's armed forces as part of a future agreement to end the war: US and European officials will work immediately to provide Ukraine with solid security guarantees, paving the way for a meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, according to sources close to the matter cited by Bloomberg.

The guarantees will focus on the strengthening of Ukraine's military forces and capabilities, without any limitations, such as restrictions on troop numbers, according to the sources.

"The upcoming meeting between the leaders of Ukraine, the United States and Russia may mark a turning point on the road to peace," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha commented on his X profile.

Highlighting tonight's Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory, the minister expressed 'how crucial it is to put an end to the killings, achieve lasting peace and guarantee solid security guarantees'.

"Geneva could be the right venue" for the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. "Italy is in favour of it taking place in Geneva because it is a country that has always worked for peace building". This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking to journalists on his arrival in Bern. "Rome also would have been an ideal venue, wanted by the Americans, the Ukrainians and also the others, but there is the problem of the International Criminal Court, so it would have been more complicated. I believe that Geneva could be the best venue, Italy is in favour, I will also tell Minister Cassis today," Tajani said, referring to the arrest warrant issued against Putin.

According to information in Brussels, a meeting of Coreper, the Committee of EU Permanent Representatives, was held during the night, at around one o'clock, to make a quick review of the meetings that took place yesterday in Washington, before today's European leaders' summit by videoconference at 1pm, convened by the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will also participate in today's meeting. In addition, a virtual meeting of the College of Commissioners will take place tomorrow.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told Fox News that during yesterday's meeting at the White House with US President Donald Trumo, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and a number of European leaders, security guarantees for Ukraine were discussed, but there was no mention of sending European or American troops there. This last point 'was not discussed at all today', it will be 'part of the discussions that will begin. We will try to take them to the next stage of the understanding in the coming days and weeks, of course. I'm not sure we can resolve all the details but we are all convinced that if this war ends we cannot see a repeat of the 2014 Minsk agreements," he said. As for Ukraine's NATO membership, it is not on the table at the moment: 'NATO's official position after the 2024 summit is that Ukraine has embarked on an irreversible path to membership,' Rutte said, later clarifying that 'what we are discussing here is not NATO membership. What we are discussing here are the security guarantees for Ukraine under Article 5'. Asked whether the issue of territorial concessions by Ukraine had been addressed, Rutte replied that the issue had not been discussed in Washington.

The NATO secretary general described the White House confrontation as 'successful' and said that the countries were focusing on security guarantees that could come into effect after a ceasefire or, preferably, a comprehensive peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

Germany insists on a ceasefire. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul from Japan presses the Kremlin for a truce before the bilateral between President Zelensky and President Putin.

"Someone has to make a move. And this move is President Putin's,' said Wadephul.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is reported by the US Wall Street Journal to have opened up the possibility of considering a potential 'proportional' exchange of territory with Moscow.

Zelensky, according to WSJ sources, did not reject the exchange of territories during the negotiations, but also emphasised the difficulties involved.

"They do not seem to be discussing the end of the war. I am surprised that the discussion is about security guarantees, as if the war is over and we have to move on. The basic question is how you end this war, the security guarantees will come later'. This is what Josep Borrell, the former head of EU diplomacy, said in a radio interview with Cadena Ser about the meeting held by Volodimir Zelenzky, accompanied by European leaders, in Washington with US President Donald Trump, in which a bilateral between the Ukrainian president and Vladimir Putin was agreed. "It makes me a bit smiley to see how" European leaders "flatter Trump, saying how grateful they are because he is taking care of Ukraine's security," Borrell reported. According to the current president of the Barcelona Centre for Internationals Affairs, 'The bottom line is: Putin was in Alaska and he was looking for two things, recognition and time, and he got both'. A great achievement for 'a man accused by the International Criminal Court of war crimes, at whom a reception was held with all the pomp and circumstance'. From the meeting with Trump, the Russian president "came out without a commitment to a ceasefire, which was what Trump was asking for, and without sanctions, which were what Trump was threatening. And, what's more, with an agreement with Trump for the latter to sell him out to the Europeans and Ukraine." "Now it is no longer the West against Russia now it is the US and Russia against Europe. It's terrible. And the sooner we understand it the better,' the former European foreign policy high representative added. As for the absence of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the table of European leaders with Trump and Zelenzky, Borrell noted, "Not all the Europeans are there." "On the other hand," he added, "Spain is the only one that has maintained a firm position with respect to Trump, it has not given in to the demand to spend 5% of GDP on defence, which means buying weapons" from the United States.

"Yesterday's important meeting in Washington could mark the turning point for a path to peace in Ukraine that we have all wanted and worked for". The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, writes this on X. "After the summit in Alaska between the US and Russia, the commitment of President Trump, President Zelensky and EU leaders means that a chance for real peace is now realistic. Difficult, but not impossible. The European Union is fundamentally a peace project. We have always and will always strive for peace. We know all too well the cost of war. Real peace must be built on solid security guarantees for Ukraine, so that it lasts and is not simply postponed to a bigger war in the future. We know that peace must be based on the principle that nothing is about Ukraine without Ukraine. We know that a Ukraine that does not receive support, that does not have the strength to discourage those who would like to take it by force, will not be able to find that elusive peace'. "This," Metsola concludes, "is what Europe has been saying from day one. That is why we stand by Ukraine. That is why Europe will continue to play its part'.

China supports "all efforts" for peace between Russia and Ukraine, in the aftermath of the Washington summit held at the White House with an indication of a possible face-to-face meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky to be held in the coming weeks. "China always believes that dialogue and negotiation are the only solution to the Ukraine crisis," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in the daily briefing, adding that Beijing "supports all useful efforts to contribute to peace".

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev commented on last night's summit at the White House between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, along with key European leaders in support of Kiev, writing on his social media that 'the warmongering, anti-Russian Coalition of the Willing failed to beat the president of the United States on its own territory'.

"Europe thanked him and flattered him (Trump,ed)," Medvedev continued. "The question is what tune the Kiev clown will play about guarantees and territories at home once he puts on his green military uniform again," he concluded.

Russian forces attacked Ukraine in the night - while meetings were underway in Washington between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelesky and European leaders - with 10 missiles and 270 drones of various types, including Shahed kamikazes: this was announced on Telegram by the Kiev Air Force. The country's air defences shot down or neutralised with electronic warfare systems six missiles and 230 unmanned aircraft. Four missiles and 40 drones were hit in 16 locations, while debris from the destroyed aircraft fell in three locations.

In addition, the Russian army shelled two districts in the Ukrainian Poltava region during the night, causing heavy power outages. This was reported by the administrator of the region Volodymyr Kohut and the mayor of Kremenchuk Vitaliy Maletsky. Due to the impacts and falling debris in the districts of Kremenchuk and Lubny, administrative buildings of local energy companies were damaged. "In the Lubny district, 1,471 residents and 119 utilities were left without electricity as a result of the attack," Kohut noted, "the State Emergency Service and the energy sector are working to overcome the consequences of the attack. Fortunately, there were no casualties'. Maletskyi published a photo of a fire in Kremenchuk after the Russian attacks.

"There is indeed a package with our proposals worth 90 billion dollars". This was confirmed by Volodymyr Zelensky after his meeting in Washington with Donald Trump and European leaders, referring to the security guarantees that are likely to be finalised within ten days. The Ukrainian president added that the agreement will also include the purchase of US weapons by Kiev. "And we have agreements with the US president that when our exports open up, they will buy Ukrainian drones. This is important for us,' he stressed. According to the Financial Times, Ukraine would promise to buy $100 billion of US weapons, financed by Europe, as part of a deal to obtain security guarantees from the US in the event of a peace agreement with Russia. In addition, Ukraine and the US would conclude a $50 billion deal to produce drones with Ukrainian companies.

"We have decided to have a bilateral meeting between the two presidents, then a trilateral meeting (with Donald Trump, ed), and finally a multilateral meeting where the Europeans must be at the table". This was said by French President Emmanuel Macron when interviewed by broadcaster Tf1-Lci, commenting on a future meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. Such a meeting could take place 'in Europe', Macron added, 'it is more than a hypothesis, it is the collective will'. The French president added that it would be held in 'a neutral country', 'perhaps Switzerland, I'm talking about Geneva', he pointed out, 'or another country: the last time there were bilateral talks, it was in Istanbul (Turkey)'.

"We have made concrete progress". UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said this at the end of the summit in Washington with US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and six other EU leaders. "Today's meeting was positive and constructive and there was a real sense of unity among the European leaders present," Starmer added, "we achieved two concrete results. The first, on the issue of security assurances, was the agreement that the coalition of willing countries - that is, 30 countries already working together on security assurances - will now work with the United States to coordinate those assurances, and we have already tasked our teams to do further detailed work on that. This is really important for security in Ukraine, for security in Europe, and for security in the UK'.

"The other concrete result was the agreement that will now result in a bilateral between (Russian) President Putin and President Zelensky," Starmer added, "this came after a phone call between President Trump and President Putin later in the afternoon, followed by a trilateral meeting, which President Trump will then join. This is a recognition of the principle that on some of these issues, whether it's territory, prisoner exchange or the very serious issue of the return of children, Ukraine must be at the negotiating table'.

It was a positive day, another important piece in building the mosaic of peace. Above all, because everyone agreed on the principle of guaranteeing security for Ukraine and this strengthens Zelensky's position in the negotiations with Putin'. So said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in an interview with Il Giornale. Will Europe and the US subscribe to the different version of Nato article 5 proposed by the Italian government? "That's right, in essence the Italian proposal to guarantee the independence of Ukraine through a mutual aid system in the event of an external attack has been accepted. We are counting on the security of Kiev, which is our security. Countries friendly to Ukraine, even the US, will have to intervene in its defence in the event of an attack. It would be good if Putin said yes'.

A few hours after the conclusion of talks between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump, the Ukrainian Air Force reported a new wave of missile and drone attacks by Russia. According to reports in the Kyiv Independent, explosions were heard in Kremenchuk, where several ballistic missiles were allegedly deployed. The Ukrainian authorities believe that the main target of the offensive was the country's energy infrastructure. The air force also reported that cities closer to the front line, including Kharkiv and Poltava, remain under threat of further missile bombardment.

"Each side will have to make some concessions, neither side will get 100 per cent what they want." This is how US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the prospects of a possible meeting between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, which Washington is trying to organise and which he called an "unprecedented" initiative. In an interview with Fox News, Rubio warned that such a summit would not automatically mean the signing of a peace agreement, but would be an important step towards ending the conflict. He pointed out that 'part of the negotiations will inevitably be about territorial issues', emphasising that this is a difficult but 'necessary step for the conclusion of the conflict'. According to the US diplomatic chief, there will be no 'unconditional surrender' by either side, and the definition of the boundary lines will have to be the result of a direct decision between Moscow and Kiev, with the US ready to help 'reach an acceptable agreement'.

Ukraine should not be forced to make territorial concessions as part of a possible peace agreement with Russia. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made this clear in Washington.

"The Russian demand that Kiev give up the free parts of the Donbass corresponds, frankly, to the proposal that the United States give up Florida," Merz told reporters after a meeting at the White House with US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders.

Recalling the 'need to stop the massacres, the need for a truce', French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that 'the facts speak for themselves', following yesterday's meeting in Washington with Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. "Today, in reality, Russia is continuing the war, it is intensifying it," he explained, "It is fighting a war against Ukrainian civilians and is not giving any sign that it sincerely wants peace. Our experience over the last 15 years with Mr (Vladimir) Putin, in his approach, is that every time he thinks he can win with war, he does not negotiate peace. This is the reality'.

"I have the greatest doubts about the Russian president's real desire for peace," said the Elysée tenant.

"In Washington, there were important talks.... an important step was taken, a demonstration of true unity between Europe and the United States," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram after meetings at the White House with US President Donald Trump and European leaders. The head of state reiterated that "security guarantees" are "a key issue, as a starting point for ending the war". "The leaders came in person to support Ukraine and discuss everything that will bring us closer to a real peace, to a reliable security architecture that will protect Ukraine and all of Europe," he commented. "We continue to work, to coordinate our actions with all allies who wish to end the war in a dignified manner. Thank you to all those who help us'.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead a group of national security advisers and Nato officials to develop security guarantees for Ukraine. This was agreed upon - as reported by the Wall Street Journal, citing sources - by US President Donald Trump and European leaders.

The security guarantees for Ukraine will include four components: military presence, air defence, weapons and monitoring the cessation of hostilities, the newspaper article states.

Il presidente Donald Trump ha dichiarato lunedì di aver avviato i preparativi per un incontro faccia a faccia tra Vladimir Putin e Volodymyr Zelensky per discutere di un percorso per porre fine all’invasione russa dell’Ucraina, affermando al contempo che gli Stati Uniti sosterranno le garanzie di sicurezza europee volte a impedire a Mosca di invadere nuovamente il suo vicino una volta terminato l’attuale conflitto.

I dettagli delle garanzie di sicurezza e gli sforzi di Trump per organizzare colloqui di pace erano ancora in fase di elaborazione, mentre un lungo incontro tra Trump, Zelensky e altri leader europei si concludeva alla Casa Bianca.