Zelensky says he had ‘best’ conversation with Trump; truce needed before Ukrainian elections

Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky gives an upbeat assessment of talks with US President Donald Trump and says they discussed security guarantees.

“We had a very good conversation with President Trump, and it really was the best one — or, sorry, maybe the best one will be in the future,” Zelensky says at an expanded meeting with European leaders.

Zelensky adds that a truce in the war is needed to make it possible for Ukrainians to engage in a democratic, open, and legal election.

Elections in Ukraine are currently suspended under martial law.

Trump interrupts the Ukrainian leader, saying, “So you’re saying that during the war, you can’t have elections?”

With a smile, he adds: “So, let me just say that three and a half years from now — you mean if we happen to be in a war with somebody, no more elections?”

Zelensky quickly laughed, adding, “No, no.”

Trump also says that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin “agreed that Russia would accept security guarantees for Ukraine, and this is one of the key points that we need to consider, and we’re going to be considering that at the table, also who will do what essentially,” ahead of a meeting with European leaders.

“I think the European nations are going to take a lot of the burden. We’re going to help them and we’re going to make it very secure,” he says.