The meeting with Macro, Trump: We're very close to deal with Ukraine on minerals.

President Trump said the deal was “very close to”. He said he could meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy later this week or next week to sign it.

“It may come this week or next to sign the agreement, a good thing this” said President Trump. He added he would also meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a certain moment.

Macron said Europe was prepared to offer security guarantees to Ukraine, including peacekeeping troops, in the event of a ceasefire.

President Trump said the United States supports the idea of sending European peacekeeping troops and said he had raised the issue, even with Mr. Putin, and the latter had agreed to accept it. Asked whether Ukraine should be willing to issue territory to Russia as part of a negotiated agreement to end the war, President Trump said that “we would see” noting that the talks had just begun.

President Macron is the first European leader to come to the White House to meet with President Trump since taking office a month ago. He was at the White House for a morning session with other leaders of the Seven Group, where Ukraine was discussed. Video conference lasted an hour and 45 minutes.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who comes amid concerns in Europe, will also come to Washington on Thursday over President Trump's harsh stance on Ukraine.

Mr. Macron and Mr. Starmer will try to persuade President Trump not to rush into a ceasefire agreement at any cost with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as to keep Europe involved in talks, as well as to discuss military guarantees for Ukraine. /euronews