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Trump met with Zelensky and European leaders following Friday’s Alaska talks with Kremlin leader Putin for a potential resolution to the Ukraine war. A Zelensky-Putin summit could be in the works.
Putin and Zelensky look set for a summit, after Trump said he had spoken by phone with Russian counterpart Putin following a “very good” meeting with the Europeans and the Ukrainian president.
AFP noted it would be the first meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders since Moscow’s invasion nearly three and a half years ago.
On Monday, Trump wrote on his Truth Social network that “everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine.”
“At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelensky,” Trump said.
Zelensky confirmed to reporters outside the White House he was “ready” for a face-to-face with foe Putin, whose unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has led to more than a million Russian soldiers’ deaths, and countless other soldiers and civilians on the Ukrainian side.
In Moscow, a Kremlin aide said that Putin was open to the “idea” of direct talks with Ukraine as well.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that White House talks involving Zelensky did not raise Kyiv surrendering territory, despite Trump’s public calls for compromise.
Asked by reporters if Trump had said that concessions were necessary before any US security guarantees to Ukraine, Macron said, “No, that wasn’t discussed at all. We’re well away from that.”
Trump interrupted a meeting with his European guests at the White House to call Putin, a source close to the talks told AFP.
Moments later, the US president started arranging a two-way peace meeting between Zelensky and Putin, to be followed by three-way talks involving himself.
“At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelensky,” Trump said. “After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two presidents, plus myself.”
US President Donald Trump said Russia has agreed to accept security guarantees for Ukraine during a televised meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European partners at the White House after holding one-on-one meetings with Zelensky today and Russian leader Vladimir Putin last week.
“Putin agreed that Russia would accept security guarantees for Ukraine, and this is one of the key points that we need to consider,” Trump said.
“I’m optimistic that we can reach an agreement that would deter any future aggression against Ukraine.”
“And I actually think there won’t be,” he added. “It’s largely overrated, but we’re going to find out.”
Security guarantees have been one of Kyiv’s requirements for peace since peace negotiations began, but the White House has regularly questioned the need for guarantees if Ukraine has US support.
Territorial concessions by Kyiv in exchange for peace from Russia are an option, Trump said.
“We also need to discuss the possible exchange of territory, taking into consideration the current line of contact.”
But a ceasefire was no longer a top consideration, the twice-impeached president said.
“All of us would obviously prefer an immediate ceasefire while we work on a lasting peace,” Trump said. “Maybe something like that could happen, but as of this moment, it’s not happening.”
Read more of their full comments here.
Here’s a summary of the key remarks made before Trump’s closed-door meeting with European leaders and Zelensky:
Security guarantees
Trump said Putin accepted Western security guarantees for Ukraine, noting that the US would play a role, though he did not specify the details.
NATO’s Mark Rutte, EU’s Ursula von der Leyen, and other European leaders emphasized that these guarantees are crucial to deterring future Russian aggression.
Territorial concessions
Trump once again floated the possibility of Ukraine ceding territory along current front lines as part of a settlement, but downplayed the immediate importance of a ceasefire before a peace deal.
Trilateral meeting with Putin
Trump said he is working toward a three-way summit with Zelensky and Putin, while proclaiming that Zelensky and the Ukrainians must make the final decisions. Meanwhile, Macron also calls for a seat for Europe at the negotiation table.
Europe’s position
European leaders reaffirmed support for Kyiv, calling for strong security guarantees and, as Germany’s Merz stressed, a ceasefire. Von der Leyen highlighted the urgent return of Ukraine’s missing children.
Find out more about what the European leaders said here.
When asked if he was prepared to “redraw the map” to meet Russia’s demands and end the war, Zelensky said he was ready for three-way peace negotiations.
“Today, there were a lot of attacks, and a one-and-a-half-year-old child was killed. We need to stop this war to stop Russia, and we need support,” he said. “We are ready for trilateral [talks], as the president said.”
“I think this is a good signal, very good,” he added.
On Ukraine’s political future, Zelensky said elections remained essential despite the war.
“Yes, of course,” he said. “We need to work in parliament because during war you can’t have elections, but we need it to make it possible for people to have democratic open election.”
Read more about their full comments here.
With territorial concessions now looming as a likely reality for Kyiv, here’s Kyiv Post’s breakdown of Russian-occupied regions as of Tuesday, Aug. 12.
The numbers might illustrate why any land-for-peace deal would be a bitter pill for Ukrainians – especially in its current form.
Trump set another, soft two week timeline for peace talks before finishing his remarks.
“Not very far from now, a week or two weeks, we’re going to know whether or not we solve this or is this horrible, fighting to continue to put our best to get it ended. And I believe we have two willing parties, and usually that’s good news.”
The press was ushered out as Trump’s meeting with Zelensky and European leaders began behind closed doors.
At a press conference beforehand, each leader delivered remarks. Most stressed that security guarantees are essential to Ukraine’s lasting peace, though some – such as Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz – also called for greater pressure on Moscow to achieve a ceasefire before more talks.
The leaders thanked Trump for his efforts, while Trump himself said a trilateral meeting with Zelensky and Putin was not a matter of if, but when.
At Monday’s meeting with Zelensky and European leaders, Trump said he hoped security guarantees for Ukraine could be finalized the same day.
“We will come to a resolution today, I think, on almost everything, including probably the security,” Trump said.
Among the participants were leaders of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing,” a bloc that has pledged security guarantees for post-war Ukraine, potentially via troop deployments.
Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff had earlier said that Moscow was open to an Article 5-style guarantee for Kyiv in place of NATO membership, which the Kremlin continues to reject outright.
Behind the table with Trump, Zelensky and European leaders, Susie Wiles and Steve Witkoff are also seated behind the table at 10 o’clock, flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth.
The meeting between Trump, Zelensky and European leaders have started following the bilateral Zelensky–Trump meeting.
So far, the tone has been postitive, with Trump saying a trilateral meeting between Trump, Zelensky and Putin is in the works, and that he will be there if Zelensky and Putin do meet.
“If you want me there, I’ll be there… we will set that up today, at least after this meeting,” Trump told Zelensky
In a high-stakes meeting that could define the future of US-Ukraine relations, President Volodymyr Zelensky demonstrated a masterclass in diplomatic finesse.
As the two leaders faced the press in the Oval Office, Zelensky appeared to have learned the unwritten rules of engaging with the unconventional US president.
Speaking to Kyiv Post, D’Anieri praised the Ukrainian leader’s strategy, noting that he “let President Trump do most of the talking, which is always step one for success at these kinds of public press sprays.”
Find out more about an expert’s take on Zelensky’a latest visit to the White House here.
A high-stakes meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky has been met with a mix of cautious optimism and palpable tension from analysts in Washington.
Yuriy Boyechko, the chief executive of the US-based humanitarian organization Hope for Ukraine, told Kyiv Post’s Washington correspondent that the meeting so far had yielded “no positives for Ukraine.”
However, another analyst offered a different perspective on the day’s events.
Find out more in Kyiv Post’s interview with Boyechko and Doug Klain, a policy analyst for Razom, a US-based organization advocating for Ukrainian interests.
Zelensky–Trump bilateral meetibg ended moments ago. Trump is currently greeting European and NATO leaders behind closed doors.
Trump-Zelenskyy meeting still ongoing. We’re expecting Trump to greet the other European leaders soon.
Before Monday’s visit, President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited the White House five times, making the latest visit his sixth.
The first four visits were made during the tenure of former US President Joe Biden.
Here is a quick rundown of his previous visits:
Find out more about why he visited the US and what resulted from each visit here.
When asked whether US arms aid for Kyiv would continue – and “how much more” Ukraine wanted – both Trump and Zelensky signaled ongoing cooperation.
Trump responded first, stressing that the US is not “giving” but “selling” weapons, before pivoting to criticize his predecessor Joe Biden and accuse him of corruption.
Zelensky followed by thanking Washington for its support, noting that European partners are helping finance the purchases.
“We have the ability to buy weapons from the United States… Thank you to Europe, they paid for it,” he said.
He added that the continued supply of US arms would be written into future security guarantees, extending beyond the current war. Zelensky also hinted at US support for air defense, praising advanced systems already provided – a remark Trump welcomed warmly.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has presented US President Donald Trump with a letter from First Lady Olena Zelenska to American First Lady Melania Trump.
“My wife, first lady of Ukraine, she gave the letter. It’s not to you – to your wife,” Zelensky said, leading to some laughter in the room.
The gesture by Olena appears to mirror a similar move made by Melania last week. She wrote a letter addressed to Russian leader Vladimir Putin that she asked her husband to give Putin at their meeting on Friday.
President Volodymyr Zelensky also joked about suiting up when asked by Brian Glenn, the same reporter who heckled him during his last White House visit.
Glenn praised Zelensky’s suit, to which Trump said that he had made the same remarks.
“I said the same thing,” Trump said.
Later, when questioned about elections in Ukraine, Zelensky joked in return that Glenn wore the same suit as last time, while he changed his attire.
“You’re in the same suit,” Zelenksy told Glenn. “I changed, you have not.”
US President Donald Trump hinted that he might make an announcement on US troops assisting with security guarantees “later today” during a press conference before his bilateral meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“We’ll let you know that maybe later today, we’re meeting with seven great people, great countries also, and we’ll be talking about that. They’ll all be involved, but there’ll be a lot of help when it comes to security,” Trump said.
“There’s going to be a lot of help. It’s going to be good. They are first line of defense because they’re there, they’re Europe, but we’re going to help them out.”
The pool is now gathering for the Oval Office.
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s SUV pulled onto the White House grounds at 1:12 p.m. EST (8:12 p.m. Kyiv time).
Trump has greeted Zelensky at the White House.
Soon before his planned bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump at 1:15 p.m. local time (8:15 p.m. Kyiv time), President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his position – real peace for Ukraine and Europe.
“Our main goal is a reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe. And it is important that the momentum of all our meetings lead to precisely this result,” he wrote on X half an hour before the meeting.
He also called for additional pressure on the Kremlin – which the current US administration has failed to exert following Friday’s Alaska talks despite earlier threats.
“We understand that we shouldn’t expect Putin to voluntarily abandon aggression and new attempts at conquest. That is why pressure must work, and it must be joint pressure – from the United States and Europe, and from everyone in the world who respects the right to life and the international order,” Zelensky added.
Zelensky added that he has coordinated positions with Kyiv’s European allies ahead of his meeting with Trump, once again reiterated Kyiv and Europe’s call for security guarantees for Ukraine.
“Ukraine is ready for a real truce and for establishing a new security architecture. We need peace,” he added.
All the European leaders are already here and now we are waiting for President Volodymyr Zelensky to arrive shortly.
US officials have reportedly asked Ukrainian officials whether President Volodymyr Zelensky will wear a suit to his meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Monday.
According to Axios, a source “with direct knowledge” of the meeting said: “Zelensky is expected to be wearing the same black jacket he wore to a NATO summit in the Netherlands in June” – adding that “it is going to be ‘suit-style’ but not a full suit.”
Trump was reportedly pleased when Zelensky wore a black suit jacket to the NATO summit in June. Zelensky has worn the jacket on several occasions since March but never with a tie – according to one of Axios’s sources, Monday’s summit is not expected to change this.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also arrived at the White House.
The Oval Office looks different today.
White House releases a view from the Oval Office ahead of Trump-Zelenskyy meeting https://t.co/he2DXaIOnE
— Alex Raufoglu (@ralexdc) August 18, 2025
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Finnish President Alexander Stubb have also arrived at the White House.
On Monday, leaders are set to weigh the Kremlin’s conditions, passed to US President Donald Trump during his meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
Although details of Trump’s talks with Putin remain undisclosed, reports indicate Moscow is demanding Ukraine cede the Donetsk and Luhansk regions while freezing the current front lines.
In return, Russia would withdraw from the small portions of Sumy and Kharkiv it occupies – about 1% and 4% of those regions respectively – while holding on to over 60% of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions it has seized.
Moscow is also said to demand Ukraine’s permanent exclusion from NATO, while – according to Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff – accepting Article 5-style security guarantees for Kyiv.
Talks are expected to center on Ukraine’s red lines and the terms of those guarantees – decisions that could shape the future of a country now fighting for over three years.
NATO chief Mark Rutte was the first to arrive.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived minutes later, followed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer – the third European leader after Rutte and von der Leyen.
Following what many might call a disastrous meeting with US President Donald Trump on Feb. 28, President Volodymyr Zelensky is – as some say – bringing his cards for Monday’s meeting.
The meeting, set for 1:15 p.m. at the White House, will see Zelensky sit down with Trump to discuss Moscow’s proposed terms for ending its invasion of Ukraine.
The talks will open as a bilateral session, but Zelensky first huddled with European leaders at the Ukrainian Embassy and will be joined by them after his one-on-one with Trump.
Here are the European leaders accompanying Zelensky on Monday:
Macron will be accompanied by Emmanuel Bonne, his diplomatic advisor, whereas Finland’s Stubb will be accompanied by his chief of staff, Lauri Tierala.
Britain’s Starmer will be accompanied by his National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell.
European leaders are scheduled to arrive at the White House South Portico at noon local time (7 p.m. Kyiv time). They will participate in a lunch at the White House.
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to arrive at the White House at 1 p.m. (8 p.m. Kyiv time).
US President Donald Trump will participate in a bilateral Meeting with Zelensky at 1:15 p.m. (8:15 p.m. Kyiv time)
At 2:15 p.m. (9:15 p.m. Kyiv time), Trump will greet European leaders in the State Dining Room.
At 2:30 p.m. (9:30 p.m. Kyiv time), Trump will participate in a photo session with European leaders.
At 3 p.m. (10 p.m. Kyiv time), Trump will participate in a multilateral meeting with European leaders in the East Room.
It is expected that some of the European leaders will make a statement after the meeting with Trump.
German Chancellor Merz already confirmed that he will speak to the press. No locations confirmed yet.
European leaders have arrived at the Ukrainian embassy in Washington DC as part of a united front in crucial talks with the US administration as of 11:12 a.m. local time (6:12 p.m. Kyiv time).
Spotted in front of the Embassy: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, NATO chief Mark Rutte, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.