Trump Discusses Potential Peace in Ukraine at Meeting with Zelensky
On August 18, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an effort to seek peace in the ongoing conflict with Russia, reports 24brussels.
During this crucial meeting, Trump expressed optimism about the potential for ending the war. “I think if all goes well today, we’ll have a trilateral meeting. And I think there’s a reasonable possibility of ending the war when we do,” he stated, indicating that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be included in future discussions.
In the Oval Office, Trump signaled the possibility of offering security guarantees to Ukraine, potentially involving U.S. troops. When questioned about whether this meeting could indicate a shift in U.S. support for Ukraine, he asserted, “I can never say it’s the end of the road. They’re killing people, and we want to stop it. So I wouldn’t say it’s the end of the road. No, I think we have a good chance of getting there,” referring to a potential peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
During the private meeting, Trump is anticipated to relay the peace conditions proposed by Putin during a prior gathering in Anchorage, Alaska, including the contentious issue of surrendering Russian-occupied territories, a stance Zelensky deems unacceptable.
Earlier on that day, European and NATO leaders converged on the White House to express solidarity with the Ukrainian leadership. Notable attendees included NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Finnish President Alexander Stubb and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz were also scheduled to arrive, with French President Emmanuel Macron completing the list.
Following the meeting with Zelensky, Trump will host a luncheon with the assembled European leaders. He remarked on his social media platform, “A great day at the White House. We’ve never had so many European leaders together. A great honor for the United States! Let’s see what the results will be.”
This pivotal engagement underscores the complexity of international diplomacy concerning the Ukraine conflict, where negotiations and conditions surrounding peace continue to dominate the political landscape.
