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Trump and Zelenskyy Meet in White House Following Meeting with Putin in Alaska

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Several European and NATO leaders are meeting in Washington to discuss President Trump's negotiations with Russian's Vladimir Putin, and to prevent any repeat of the last time Ukraine's president met with Trump. 

That was one of the most hostile meetings ever between a U.S. president and a visiting head of state.

Today, the two Western leaders met at the White House for the first time since then. 

WATCH: Trump and Zelenskyy Meet in White House Following Meeting with Putin in Alaska

Trump is continuing to pressure Zelenskyy, writing on Truth Social that the Ukrainian president "...can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight."

Zelenskyy responded overnight, writing, "Russia must end this war, which it itself started. And I hope that our joint strength with America, with our European friends, will force Russia into a real peace." 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told ABC both sides will have to compromise.

"You can't have a peace agreement unless both sides make concessions. If not, it's just called surrender, and neither side is going to surrender," Rubio said.

White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who was in the talks with Putin, says the United States did get Russia to agree to stronger security guarantees, including NATO style protection for Ukraine if is attacked again.

"We were able to win the following concession, that the United States could offer Article Five-like protection...which is one of the real reasons why Ukraine wants to be in NATO," Witkoff told CNN.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy called the summit with Putin a "disaster," an "embarrassment,"  and a "failure."

"Putin got everything he wanted," Murphy told NBC. "He was invited to the United States. War criminals are not normally invited to the United States. So, Putin walks away with this photo op, with zero commitments made and zero consequences. What a great day for Russia."

Putin is demanding Ukraine give up the Donetsk region, which Russia has failed to take by military force, in exchange for the fighting to end.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine's constitution won't allow that.

One issue to be hammered out with European leaders today is what security guarantees for Ukraine would look like, and how they would be enforced.

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About The Author

Dale
Hurd

Dale Hurd utilizes his four decades of experience to provide cutting-edge analysis of the most important events affecting our world. Since joining CBN News, Dale has reported extensively from Europe, China, Russia, and South America. His reports have been used or cited by NBC News, Fox News, and numerous news websites. Dale was credited with “changing the political culture in France” through his groundbreaking coverage of the rise of militant Islam in that nation. His stories garnered millions of views in Europe on controversial topics ignored by the European media. Dale has also covered the