Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used a bilateral meeting at the White House on Monday to publicly thank U.S. President Donald Trump for what he called "efforts to stop killing and this war," referring to the conflict with Russia. Zelensky voiced his appreciation several times during the opening moments of the talks, underscoring Kyiv’s hope that Washington will intensify diplomatic pressure aimed at ending hostilities. Zelensky also handed Trump a letter from Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, addressed to U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. According to Zelensky, the message thanks Melania Trump for urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to release abducted Ukrainian children and lends personal support to initiatives seeking a negotiated peace. No new policy commitments were announced during the brief press availability, but both delegations said discussions on security assistance and humanitarian issues would continue behind closed doors.