Live Updates: Trump to Meet With Zelensky, Making New Push for Ukraine Cease-Fire

In a significant diplomatic move, President Donald Trump is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Wednesday, in a bid to revitalize stalled negotiations aimed at brokering a cease-fire in the conflict-ravaged eastern Ukraine.

According to sources close to the matter, the meeting comes at a critical juncture, with the seven-year-old conflict showing no signs of abating. The conflict between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists has claimed over 13,000 lives and displaced millions of people.

Trump’s administration has been under pressure to play a more active role in mediating the conflict, with European leaders and lawmakers urging the US to use its influence to bring about a peaceful resolution.

During the meeting, Trump and Zelensky are expected to discuss a range of issues, including a potential cease-fire, the withdrawal of heavy artillery and troops from the conflict zone, and the implementation of the Minsk Agreement – a set of protocols aimed at resolving the conflict.

The Minsk Agreement, signed in 2015, has been stalled for years, with both sides accusing each other of violating its terms. A key sticking point has been the issue of control over the Ukraine-Russia border, which has been a major source of contention.

Zelensky’s visit to Washington comes on the back of a recent uptick in violence in eastern Ukraine, with both sides trading accusations of violating the cease-fire. The Ukrainian leader has been pushing for a more robust international response to the crisis, and has called for increased economic and military aid to help his country counter Russian aggression.

The meeting between Trump and Zelensky is also likely to touch on issues related to energy and economic cooperation, as well as Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO. The two leaders are also expected to discuss the recent controversy surrounding US military aid to Ukraine, which was temporarily withheld earlier this year.

As the conflict in eastern Ukraine continues to simmer, the stakes are high for both Trump and Zelensky. A breakthrough in negotiations could help ease tensions and provide a much-needed boost to the region’s fragile stability. However, with deep-seated divisions and mistrust on both sides, the path to a lasting peace remains fraught with challenges.