The Meetings Between Trump, Putin, & Zelenskyy

WASHINGTON — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday afternoon, only days after Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin left an Alaska summit without managing to seal a ceasefire deal.

Zelenskyy is arriving in Washington, joined by several European leaders — including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Trump has recently doubled down on his push to end the war in Ukraine, a conflict now dragging into its fourth year. He has repeatedly sworn by the claim that it would never have happened had he been president earlier.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested on Sunday that a ceasefire was still possible, signaling that the U.S. might defer to allies who are coming out in favor of a temporary halt in fighting.

On Truth Social, Trump appeared to stick by Putin’s key demands, urging Ukraine to give up Crimea and abandon NATO membership. In doing so, he seemed to side with Russia, while siding against Zelenskyy’s calls for full sovereignty.

“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately if he chooses, or he can continue to fight,” Trump posted, egging on the idea that the burden lies with Ukraine rather than Moscow. Some have said that Trump has caved in to Putin's demands.

Still, Trump hinted that if talks with Zelenskyy go well on Monday, he would buoy up prospects for a direct follow-up meeting with Putin. In his words, he aims to cross over from temporary ceasefires to a lasting settlement — something he claims he will stand for as part of his presidential legacy.

1. to stick by

• Definition: To remain loyal to someone or something, even during difficulty.

• Example: “Despite criticism, the senator stuck by his decision.”

• Practice Question:

  • If your best friend made a mistake, would you stick by them or criticize them? Why?

2. to side with

• Definition: To support one person or group in a conflict.

• Example: “Most of the European leaders sided with Ukraine during the talks.”

• Practice Question:

  • In a classroom debate, do you usually side with the teacher or with your classmates?

3. to come out in favor of

• Definition: To publicly declare support for something.

• Example: “The committee came out in favor of stricter environmental laws.”

• Practice Question:

  • What kind of policy would you come out in favor of at your school or workplace?

4. to cave in

• Definition: To give up resistance or yield under pressure.

• Example: “After long negotiations, the leader finally caved in to the demands.”

• Practice Question:

  • Have you ever caved in to peer pressure? What happened?

5. to defer to

• Definition: To allow someone else to make decisions because of their authority or expertise.

• Example: “The committee deferred to the scientists on the matter of climate data.”

• Practice Question:

  • Do you usually defer to experts when making big decisions, or do you trust your own judgment?

6. to go with

• Definition: To choose one option instead of another.

• Example: “The president decided to go with a long-term peace deal instead of a temporary ceasefire.”

• Practice Question:

  • If you had to choose between a risky but exciting job or a safe but boring one, which would you go with?

7. to lean towards

• Definition: To show a preference for one option without fully deciding.

• Example: “The voters are leaning towards supporting the reform, but nothing is final.”

• Practice Question:

  • If you were buying a car, what kind of model would you lean towards?

8. to cross over

• Definition: To change from supporting one side to another.

• Example: “Some politicians crossed over to support the opposition party’s plan.”

• Practice Question:

  • Can you think of a time when you crossed over from one opinion to another?

9. to stand for

• Definition: To represent or support an idea, belief, or principle.

• Example: “The leader said he stood for peace and cooperation.”

• Practice Question:

  • What values do you stand for most strongly in life?

10. to side against

• Definition: To oppose someone in a conflict by supporting the opposite side.

• Example: “Many nations sided against Russia during the negotiations.”

• Practice Question:

  • If two of your friends were arguing, would you side against one of them, or try to stay neutral?

11. to egg on

• Definition: To encourage someone to do something, often reckless.

• Example: “The crowd egged on the protestors to keep shouting.”

• Practice Question:

  • Have you ever been egged on by friends to do something you didn’t really want to do?

12. to swear by

• Definition: To have complete trust in something; to strongly recommend it.

• Example: “She swears by meditation as a way to reduce stress.”

• Practice Question:

  • Is there a product, habit, or activity you swear by? Why?

13. to not hear of

• Definition: To refuse to allow or accept something.

• Example: “The president would not hear of giving up the disputed territory.”

• Practice Question:

  • If someone asked you to give up your favorite hobby, would you not hear of it?

14. to buoy up

• Definition: To lift someone’s confidence or strengthen their position.

• Example: “International support buoyed up Ukraine during negotiations.”

• Practice Question:

  • What kinds of things buoy you up when you are feeling low?

15. to stick up for

• Definition: To defend or support someone who is being criticized.

• Example: “He stuck up for his friend during the heated argument.”

• Practice Question:

  • Have you ever had to stick up for someone who was being treated unfairly?