Zelensky says he is ready to meet Putin bilaterally - or potentially also with Trump
Security guarantees for Ukraine would be "provided" by European countries with "coordination" by the US, Trump says
UK PM Keir Starmer tells the BBC that negotiations on security guarantees will continue today
Trump continues to dismiss a ceasefire as a prerequisite before a peace agreement, but the French and German leaders insist upon it
At the heart of any future permanent peace deal between Ukraine and Russia will be some sort of security guarantee, aimed at deterring Russia from attacking Ukraine again.
Up until now, the US has been reluctant to make any commitment in this direction, leaving it up to Britain and France with their so-called "coalition of the willing". But after talks in the White House on Monday, US President Donald Trump said those security guarantees could be met by European nations in "co-ordination with the United States".
So what form could this take? There are broadly four possibilities:
Boots on the ground - This is considered the least likely. Donald Trump views this war as Europe’s problem. For him to commit ground troops, even in a peacekeeping role, to a conflict he deeply dislikes would take a major about-face
Air and sea patrols - This is more conceivable. The US has already operated surveillance flights to monitor the course of the war. But there is a world of difference between a non-confrontational reconnaissance flight or maritime patrol and an armed clash with a nuclear power like Russia
Intelligence - US satellite and aerial intelligence have proved vital in helping Ukraine hold back the advance of Russia’s invading forces. In the event of a peace deal agreed to by all sides, this is one area where the US would probably be happy to assist
Logistics - Whatever form the UK/French-led "reassurance force" eventually takes in the event of a peace deal, then it’s going to need a lot of logistical support - and this is one non-lethal area that Washington would likely be happy to help with
President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders arrived at the White House on Monday to meet US President Donald Trump for fresh talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine
A Putin-Zelensky meeting on the cards? Trump said that he had called Putin to arrange bilateral talks between the Russian leader and Zelensky. Following this, there would be a trilateral meeting including Trump, the US president said
Trump and Europeans disagree over ceasefire - Trump seemed to dismiss the need for a ceasefire before further negotiations to end the war, a stance that drew opposition from European leaders. "I can't imagine that the next meeting would take place without a ceasefire," said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. "So, let's work on that and let's try to put pressure on Russia"
Trump hints at security guarantees - the US would help guarantee Ukraine's security, Trump said. This is the most decisive he has ever sounded on the issue of security guarantees, which are a key concern for Ukraine. It is not clear what form those would take, with possibilities including foreign troops deployed on the ground, joint air and sea patrols, intelligence sharing or logistical support - more on this from security correspondent Frank Gardner here
Zelensky launches charm offensive - in a shift from his acrimonious last visit to the White House, Zelensky dialled up the charm today, dressed in a suit, armed with a personal letter from his wife and a flurry of six "thank yous" in the first few minutes of the meeting
Putin's acknowledgement of the need for security guarantees in Ukraine, and Trump saying that the US would be involved in those, is "an enormous step forward in terms of gaining peace in Ukraine", Rose Goettemoeller, former Nato deputy secretary general, told the BBC earlier today.
It also comes as "an enormous reassurance to the Nato allies", she added.
"They had been concerned that the US would be removing itself from their defence and now having this reassurance at the highest level is very important."
The Nato summit in June "started the momentum in this direction", Ms Goettemoeller said.
Trump has long accused his European allies of not spending enough on defence and instead relying on the US.
At the summit this year, Nato leaders agreed to raise their military spending to 5% of their GDP - a move hailed by Trump as a "big win".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today's talks were the best so far and that he was "ready for a bilateral with Putin".
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "very pleased" with the outcome of the meeting today, which demonstrated a "real sense of unity" among the leaders. He emphasised that "no decision should be made about Ukraine, without Ukraine".
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Trump to "put pressure on Russia for a ceasefire. "I can't imagine that the next meeting would take place without a ceasefire," he said. Putin had agreed to a bilateral meeting within the next two weeks, Merz said.
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed Merz's comments for a ceasefire, but also said that European military forces should help Ukraine with "boots on the ground".
Finnish President Alexander Stubb struck a more cautious tone, saying there was "nothing concrete" about US participation in security guarantees for Ukraine. As for the bilateral meeting between Zelensky and Putin, he said the Russian leader "cannot be trusted".
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said one of the most important questions was "how to be sure that it won't happen again, which is the precondition of every kind of peace".
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated calls for the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, saying the "human cost of this war must end".
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte called Trump a "pragmatic peacemaker" and said the leaders would be working on security guarantees over the next few days.