President Trump: Europe must take central role in assuring long term security in Ukraine

US President Donald Trump hit newswires on Monday, passing along comments on the ongoing Ukraine-Russia peacemaking situation. With Russia over a thousand days into its three-day military operation that was meant to sweep the Ukrainian country back under Russian control, the US President, who has pursued an alliance with Russia's Vladimir Putin for years, is looking to isolate Ukraine from NATO and get Ukraine to sign a deal worth half of a trillion dollars.

This follows accusations from President Trump that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ultimately responsible for causing Russia to invade Ukraine in the first place and also failing to stop the war after it started.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also spoke with the press in a well-timed simultaneous press conference of his own, adding his own statements to the Ukraine-centric trickle of headlines on Monday.

Key highlights

Trump does not see problem with sending European troops as peacemakers in Ukraine.

Will meet with Zelenskyy, could come "this week or next" to sign "minerals deal".

Will meet with Russia's Putin "at some point".

NATO is a good thing if done properly.

Trump priases Italy's Meloni's leadership, says Italy is very important.

Trying to work on economic development with Russia.

Trump claims he could end the war in Ukraine within weeks.

May 9 may be "a lttle soon" for a visit to Moscow.

Trump willing to go to Moscow at appropriate time.

Trump claims Putin will accept European peacekeepers, "we'll see" when asked if Ukraine should give up territory.

Have had great conversations, including with Russia, on ending Ukraine war.

Meeting with France's Macron was another step forward toward ending the war.

Macron agrees that this is the "right time", and may be the only time to end war in Ukraine.

Europe must take central role in assuring long term security in Ukraine.

Macron agrees that cost and burden of Ukraine war must be borne by Europe.

Made a great deal of progress towards making Ukraine minerals deal.

Trump: Our focus is on achieving a ceasefire as soon as possible and ultimately permament peace.

Putin highlights

Trump wants to improve political situation in Ukraine, to create conditions for survival of Ukraine.

Trump's position is not in Russia's interests, it is in Ukraine's interests.

Trump is not acting on emotion, but on rational approach to current situation.

I don't see anything wrong with European participation in the negotiations on Ukraine.

Next contacts between Russia and US will focus primarily on bilateral relations.

We could agree with the US to cut defence budgets, it's a good idea.