WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron met in the White House Monday, with the potential ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia on both leaders’ minds. Speaking in the Oval Office about the need for a peace deal, Trump said, “It could lead to World War III if it’s not solved. You know, there’ll be a point at which it’s not going to stop at those two countries [because] there’s such involvement from other countries.” The bilateral meeting came after the two joined a call with all G7 leaders, where Eastern European security was also the main topic of discussion. “We had a good discussion this morning for the G7 here for the [anniversary of] the third year of this war in Ukraine,” Trump said. “And I think our common objective clearly is to build..a solid longstanding peace.” When asked if he’d be willing to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, Trump said Zelenskyy wants to come to the United States to sign the deal when it’s done. “We’d meet at the Oval Office. So, the agreement is being worked on now. They’re very close to a final deal … And he would like to come, and I understand, here to sign it. And that would be great with me. I think they then have to get it approved by their counsel or whoever might approve it. But I’m sure that will happen.” If true, this would mean Zelenskyy may have forgiven Trump for his comments calling him a dictator. Or perhaps the wartime leader has come to understand how America’s dealmaker in chief plays politics. Sunday, Zelenskyy offered to step down as president of Ukraine if it meant his country could join NATO. And if Russian President Vladimir Putin thinks Trump is not ready to give into every demand from the Ukrainians, it might soften the Russian leader’s stance entering into what the Trump team called “the last yard” of peace talks. BREAKING: President Zelensky just completely demolishes Trump’s Kremlin propaganda that he’s a dictator. He says: “If Peace for Ukraine Requires It, If You Need Me to Step Down—I’m Ready. I Can Trade It for NATO.” All he wants is safety and security for the people of Ukraine.… pic.twitter.com/xNYmWAK6z6 — Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) February 23, 2025 Trump’s willingness to bring Putin to the table is a sharp contrast from the Biden administration’s hands-off approach to peace: “I’m just glad I was able to help, because there was no communication with Russia until I came along. Biden didn’t communicate, he couldn’t communicate with his own child. It was terrible. He hadn’t spoken to Putin in three years.” Trump told reporters he expects Putin to accept European troops as peacekeepers as part of the deal. During a later press conference in the East Room, Macron insisted the U.S. and Europe should continue to provide security to the small nation. “This peace must not mean a surrender of Ukraine,” Macron indicated. “It must not mean a ceasefire without guarantees. This peace must allow for Ukrainian sovereignty and allow Ukraine to negotiate with other stakeholders regarding the issues that affect it.” One of those issues is the use of nearly 300 billion in frozen assets that were part of joint U.S.-E.U. sanctions against Russia. While Trump has been vocal about wanting to use those assets to reimburse America’s investment in the war, Macron said only the accrued proceeds from the assets should be used. “We already used [the assets] to back precisely the loans negotiated at the G7, and it’s part of the sanctions. So it will depend on the follow-up of the discussions,” Macron said. “But clearly, we respect international law. It’s just frozen assets now. You can take the proceeds of the frozen assets, but you cannot take the assets themselves because it’s not respecting international law.” It is clear that while President Trump and President Macron may differ on negotiating strategy, both leaders want to see the war come swiftly to a peaceful resolution that respects the sovereignty of both nations.