Trump-Zelensky Meeting and Ukraine-Russia Peace Developments
Trump stated Ukraine should relinquish territories like Crimea, noting "Russia is a more powerful country."
US/EUROPE — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on August 18, 2025, beginning with a bilateral session at 1:15 p.m. Eastern Time to address the Russia-Ukraine war, ceasefire options, and security guarantees for Ukraine.
Zelensky referenced Russian strikes on August 17, 2025, on Kharkiv (drone attack killing 7, including a 1.5-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy, injuring over 20), Zaporizhzhia (ballistic missile strike killing 3, injuring 20+), and Odesa (drone strikes targeting infrastructure, causing blackouts with no reported deaths, possible injuries).
This session followed a February 2025 Oval Office discussion on U.S. aid. Zelensky arrived in a suit, aligning with protocol.
The meeting expanded at 3 p.m. to include European leaders: French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Vice President JD Vance also attended. The group coordinated to support Ukraine's position.
No agreements were announced, but Trump suggested a trilateral with Putin if feasible. The European Union issued a joint statement rejecting border changes by force. Zelensky urged stronger sanctions on Russia if no trilateral meeting occurs.