Trump: We will try to work out trilateral with US, Ukraine, and Russia | investingLive

Pres. Trump and the EU leaders are meeting with the press:

Have had a very successful day so far.
Will try to work out trilateral with US, Ukraine, and Russia. Russia agreed to accept security guarantees.
We will be considering who will do what.
Optimistic collectively we all reach an agreement to deter aggression on Ukraine.
We also need to discuss the possible exchanges of territory. If
All of us would prefer an immediate cease-fire while we work on a lasting peace.
As of this moment, that has not happened.
Peace agreement at and is attainable.
Can be done in the near future.
Think we will come to resolution today.
Resolution would probably include security.
Think that you really would like to do something.
In a week or two will know if we can resolve this.
Putin wants to find an answer.
It is possible it might not be able to be done. On the other hand, it’s possible it will be able to be done.

Zelenskyy:

Spoke about sensitive matters including security guarantees.
All of us want to finish this more and stop Russia.
Important that US gives a strong signal on security.
Trump will try to organize trilateral: Ukraine would be happy if Trump were there.

EU Von der Leyen:

Security guarantees are so important.

Germany’ Merz:

Helpful to meet but next steps more complicated.
We all would like to see a cease-fire

Italy’s Meloni

If we want peace, we have to do it united

France’s Macron:

We all support idea of truce

UK Starmer:

We can make real progress on security guarantees

The European leaders were pretty consistent in their desire to have security guarantees. Pres. Trump hedged himself by saying that it may work/it may not work. He did say that he “thinks that they will come to a resolution today”, which would “probably include security”.

Needless to say there is more positive coming out of the meeting today, but the more important person (Putin) was not in the room. Also, it is one thing to say that they will provide security guarantees. It is another thing that Russia would allow US troops in Ukraine.

My inkling is that the selling of arms to NATO is Trump’s way of staying at arm’s length. Also Europeans adding to their defense spending is some additional security.

However, having direct US involvement and guarantees in security is the ultimate protection in times of peace. Putin/Russia has a history of aggression. Trust is not easily regained.

Overall, the markets seem to be watching and not necessarily reacting. The US stock indices remain within 0.10% of the closing level with the S&P and the NASDAQ nearly unchanged on the day.

US yields are now marginally positive on the day with the two-year up 1.0 basis points while the 10 year is up 1.1 basis points.