National Guard troops in DC are now armed, defense official says

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed optimism at ending the war during remarks in the White House.

"Let's make the best out of today and make sure that from today onwards, we get this thing to an end as soon as possible," he said.

Addressing Trump, Rutte said, "The fact that you have said I'm willing to participate in security guarantees is a big step, is really a breakthrough, and it makes all the difference."

"I think we had a very good conversation with President Trump," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the table with European leaders after his Oval Office meeting with the president. Trump quickly agreed that it was "very good."

"And it really was the best one, or sorry, maybe the best one will be in the future," Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian president said they spoke about several key points, including security guarantees and freeing prisoners held by Russia.

"We spoke about it and we will speak more about security guarantees," Zelenskyy said. "This is very important that the United States gives such strong signal and is ready for security guarantees."

Trump said he believed Russia would soon release prisoners -- maybe "immediately."

Following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Donald Trump said they have had a "very successful day thus far" in remarks while joined by European leaders who had traveled to the White House for the talks.

"We're all working for the same goal, very simple goal. We want to stop the killing, get this settled," he said.

Trump said he and Zelenskyy "covered a lot of territory" in their talks, though didn't go into detail.

He also said he "spoke indirectly" with Russian President Vladimir Putin and reiterated that they will be calling him after the meeting with European leaders.

"I believe a peace agreement at the end of all of this is something that's very attainable, and it can be done in the near future," Trump said.

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President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were joined by Europeans leaders who traveled to the White House on Monday for a photo op in the White House, where they stood stoically.