Can Zelensky trust Trump’s security assurances in Ukraine peace talks?

US President Donald Trump with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (AP photo)

US President Donald Trump assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday that the United States would “make sure it works” if a deal with Russia is reached. His words came during a White House meeting with Zelensky and European leaders, where Trump pledged that Ukraine’s safety would be guaranteed under any agreement. Yet his refusal to outline concrete mechanisms has left uncertainty about how far Washington will go, the New York Times reported.

Shifting positions raise doubts

Trump’s approach to the Ukraine war has been marked by shifting rhetoric. Just days before his Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin, he threatened “severe consequences” unless Moscow agreed to a cease-fire. After meeting Putin, however, he dropped that demand and instead supported talks on a broader peace deal without an immediate halt to fighting. The reversal has deepened questions about whether Kyiv can rely on his assurances.

Ukraine seeks more than words

For Zelensky, trust is tied to security on the ground, not political promises. He revealed that discussions included a proposal for Ukraine to buy $90 billion worth of US weapons through Europe and for America to purchase drones from Ukraine. But he emphasized that any deal would require formal agreements, not just verbal commitments. Analysts say Ukraine is unlikely to stop at vague guarantees, fearing they would collapse under pressure.

Europe pushes to keep talks alive

European leaders at the White House expressed cautious optimism. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called Trump’s willingness to discuss security guarantees “a breakthrough,” even without a defined framework. Diplomats suggested a hybrid arrangement where European forces provide defence assets inside Ukraine, with US backing from bases in neighbouring countries. While the idea remains theoretical, it signals Europe’s intent to prevent Kyiv from facing negotiations alone.

History of reversals complicates trust

Trump’s record of abrupt policy shifts adds another layer of scepticism. He has alternated between praising Putin as a partner and warning him of devastating sanctions. In other conflicts, from Gaza to trade wars, he has issued sweeping threats only to scale back later. On Monday, he admitted the Ukraine war was “one of the most difficult and very complex” crises he has faced, despite earlier claims he could end it in 24 hours.

A high-stakes gamble for Kyiv

As the war enters its fourth year, Zelensky faces the challenge of balancing international pressure for compromise with Ukraine’s demand for sovereignty. With Russia still occupying about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, Kyiv fears that vague guarantees could legitimize losses. The next phase of negotiations will test whether Trump’s promises can be translated into binding commitments—or if they remain another shifting element in his diplomacy.