European Leaders Seemingly Back Trump's Move for a Resolution

Zelensky was at the White House. At the same time, Mr Trump's embrace of the Ukrainian cause was not as full-throated as the seven European leaders he hosted.

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On the contrary, early on in the live telecast of remarks across the table from the Europeans, he struck a complimentary note towards Mr Putin: "I have always had a great relationship with him. I think President Putin wants to find an answer..."

The European leaders who flew to Washington in solidarity with Mr Zelensky seemed to throw their support behind Mr Trump's initiative.

Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte thanked "dear Donald" for breaking "the deadlock with President Putin by starting the dialogue".

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called it a "new phase", while Finnish President Alexander Stubb said there had been "more progress" in the past two weeks than in the past three and a half years.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "Nobody has been able to bring it to this point."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was a little more guarded, although he admitted the breakthrough moment was Mr Trump's controversial meeting with Mr Putin on Aug 15 in Alaska. "The path is open. You opened it last Friday — but now the way is open for complicated negotiations," he said.

Mr Trump says the clock is ticking, and a resolution could be shaping up.

Misplaced optimism, perhaps. But the brazenness appears to be paying off.

What Mr Trump has brought to the table is far from what has been associated with American presidents of the past. No grave mien, no signal of resolve and promise of steadiness.