Trump-Zelensky meeting live updates: US president embraces Ukrainian leader as they meet at the White House

President Donald Trump responded to a question about his previous warning that Russia would face “severe consequences” if a ceasefire wasn’t reached.

Trump said early Saturday he now believes Russia and Ukraine should strike a peace deal, rather than a ceasefire.

“I don’t think you need a ceasefire,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “You know, if you look at the six deals that I settled this year, they were all at war. I didn’t do any ceasefires.”

“I know that it might be good to have, but I can also understand strategically why one country or the other wouldn’t want it,” he added. “You have a ceasefire, and they rebuild and rebuild and rebuild. And, you know, maybe they don’t want that.”

President Donald Trump addressed security guarantees in Ukraine and whether that could involve U.S. troops.

Trump did not rule out sending U.S. troops into Ukraine.

“We’ll let you know that, maybe later today. We’re meeting with seven great leaders of great countries, and we’ll be talking about that,” Trump said.

“President Zelensky, you look fabulous in that suit,” the reporter said.

“I said the same thing — that’s the one that attacked you last time,” Trump replied, referring to the reporter who asked Zelensky why he didn’t wear a suit to the Oval Office in February.

“I remember,” Zelensky quipped.

President Donald Trump told reporters he’s aiming for peace “immediately” as he meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“We’re going to have a lasting peace, I hope it’s going to be immediately,” Trump said. “I hope it doesn’t have to go on. And I think people in the whole world are going to be very happy when that’s announced.”

President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are now meeting in the Oval Office.

But, it shows he’s playing ball with President Donald Trump. So far.

President Donald Trump greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrived at the White House on Monday afternoon.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a statement ahead of his arrival at the White House.

“Our main goal is a reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe. And it is important that the momentum of all our meetings lead to precisely this result,” Zelensky wrote. “We understand that we shouldn’t expect Putin to voluntarily abandon aggression and new attempts at conquest. That is why pressure must work, and it must be joint pressure – from the United States and Europe, and from everyone in the world who respects the right to life and the international order.”

Zelensky met with several European leaders at the Ukrainian embassy in Washington, D.C., on Monday morning. The group “coordinated our positions ahead of the meeting with President Trump,” he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived at the White House.