U.S. and European Leaders Meet to Address Ukraine Conflict
On August 18, 2025, a crucial meeting is taking place in the White House, Washington, D.C., where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders are discussing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine with U.S. President Donald Trump, reports 24brussels.
Among the European officials present are European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. They are addressing Trump directly as they explore solutions to end the war and its devastating consequences for Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated, “We must stop the killings. We must stop the destruction of Ukraine’s infrastructure. This is a horrific war.” He expressed gratitude towards Trump for facilitating dialogue in the challenging situation.
Ursula von der Leyen emphasized, “We are here to work with you towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, to stop the killings.” She added, “Every child must return to their family.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz commented, “I cannot imagine that the next meeting will occur without a ceasefire. So let’s work on this and try to exert pressure on Russia.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni remarked, “We will discuss many important topics. The first is security guarantees, how to ensure this does not happen again, as it is a prerequisite for any peace.”
French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted, “We have worked very hard over the last few years to achieve a strong and lasting peace. That is why the idea of a trilateral meeting is very important, as it is the only way to resolve this issue.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer added, “We are talking about the security not only of Ukraine but of all of Europe and the UK, so this is an incredibly important issue.”
Finnish President Alexander Stubb noted, “The fact that we are all sitting around this table together is very symbolic, in that Europe and the U.S. are jointly helping Ukraine.” He reminded attendees of Finland’s long border with Russia and its historical context, stating, “We found solutions in 1944, and I am confident we can find a resolution in 2025 to end Russia’s aggressive war and achieve a lasting, just peace.”
