G7 leaders express optimism for peace after Trump's 'very good' Zelensky meeting

Cautious optimism for peace in Ukraine emerged among G7 leaders after U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday. Trump declared that Russia should make peace with Ukraine, describing the conflict as a tragedy with too many young men dying on both sides.

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Look, Russia should make a deal. I'm gonna do whatever I can.

"Look, Russia should make a deal," Trump told reporters. "I'm gonna do whatever I can." This sentiment sparked hope that a peace deal might be achievable, contrasting with a previous meeting between Trump and Zelensky where the U.S. president reportedly advised Zelensky he had little leverage. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz found Trump cooperative and attentive, stating, "And in that respect, once again, it gives me a certain degree of optimism that we here, as Europeans and as Americans, are now doing everything we can, together, to end the war."

Following the meeting with Trump, Zelensky informed Reuters that G7 leaders concurred that Russia is not winning the war. Discussions also included potential new sanctions targeting Russia's oil exports, its banking sector, and its military production to compel Moscow toward negotiations. Zelensky expressed hope for another meeting with Trump later Tuesday, noting that their teams would continue discussions at various levels.

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I found him to be very cooperative, and I also saw him listening very attentively. And in that respect, once again, it gives me a certain degree of optimism that we here, as Europeans and as Americans, are now doing everything we can, together, to end the war.

European diplomats described the tone of the meeting as constructive. During the discussions, Zelensky reportedly showed Trump images of the aftermath of a Russian strike on Kyiv's Pechersk Lavra monastery, which Trump expressed disapproval of. One diplomat noted the move was "psychologically" effective for Zelensky.

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Our teams will be meeting over the course of the next 24 hours at various levels and will continue to meet. I think that tomorrow we will also meet separately with the president (Trump).