America to 'help out' Europe in securing Ukraine: Trump

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States would “help out” Europe in providing security for Ukraine as part of any deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine, as he and President Volodymyr Zelensky began a hastily arranged White House meeting to discuss a path to peace.

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Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office with Zelensky seated beside him, Trump also expressed hope that Monday's summit could eventually lead to a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding that he believes Putin wants the war to end.

Zelensky and a group of European leaders arrived in Washington facing increased pressure from Trump to reach a resolution to end the war on terms more favorable to Moscow, after Trump and Putin met in Alaska on Friday for nearly three hours.

“We need to stop this war, to stop Russia and we need support - American and European partners,” Zelensky told reporters.

Trump greeted Zelensky outside the White House, shaking his hand and expressing delight at Zelensky’s black suit, a departure from his typical military clothes. When a reporter asked Trump what his message was to the people of Ukraine, he said twice, “We love them.”

Zelensky thanked him, and Trump put his hand on Zelensky’s back in a show of affection before the two men went inside to the Oval Office, where their last meeting in February ended in disaster after Trump dressed Zelensky down in front of television cameras.

This time, the leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union and NATO joined Zelensky to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine and push for strong security guarantees in any postwar settlement.