Trump, Zelenskyy, Europe Leaders Signal Unity at White House Summit/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump, President Zelenskyy, and top European leaders gathered at the White House for a symbolic photo before entering high-stakes talks on Ukraine. Trump said land concessions and security guarantees are central to negotiations, while Zelenskyy emphasized humanitarian concerns and lasting peace. NATO’s Mark Rutte hailed Trump’s security guarantee proposal as a “breakthrough,” while France’s Emmanuel Macron urged European inclusion in future talks.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, left, and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz participate in a meeting with President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.Alex Brandon/AP
Ukraine Peace Talks Quick Looks
- Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders posed for a family photo inside the Cross Hall.
- Leaders then entered multilateral meetings in the East Room focused on Ukraine.
- Trump signaled optimism about reaching a resolution on security guarantees.
- Zelenskyy said he had a “very good” private talk with Trump.
- Trump said a trilateral summit with Putin and Zelenskyy is “when, not if.”
- NATO chief Rutte called Trump’s guarantees a “breakthrough.”
- Macron suggested Europe should be represented in any trilateral talks.
- German Chancellor Merz stressed a ceasefire as the next negotiation step.
- Leaders took turns outlining their positions directly to Trump.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron and President Donald Trump speak during a meeting.Alex Brandon/AP
Deep Look: Symbolism and Strategy as Trump, Zelenskyy, and Europe Unite in White House Talks
WASHINGTON — August 18, 2025
In the grand Cross Hall of the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump stood flanked by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, pausing for a family photo before entering a decisive round of negotiations over the Russia-Ukraine war.
The carefully choreographed image—Trump in the center, Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron nearby, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at his side—was a symbolic display of unity ahead of substantive talks.
Trump Outlines the Agenda: Security Guarantees and Land Concessions
Before sitting down in the East Room, Trump described the meeting’s goals: defining “who will do what” regarding security guarantees for Ukraine, and discussing “possible exchanges of territory” to end the war. He claimed Putin had signaled openness to security guarantees, a framework designed to protect Ukraine without granting NATO membership.
“I’m optimistic that collectively, we can reach an agreement that would deter any future aggression against Ukraine,” Trump said.
The president acknowledged the land concession debate, saying it must account for “the current line of contact.”
Zelenskyy: “A Very Good Conversation”
Zelenskyy said his private talks with Trump were encouraging. “We spoke about very sensitive points,” he told reporters. He emphasized three key issues:
- Security guarantees: Expressed confidence that Ukraine’s security needs were understood.
- Humanitarian concerns: Thanked Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for writing to Putin about abducted Ukrainian children.
- Trilateral meeting: Signaled willingness to join Trump and Putin in future negotiations.
“I think that we had a very good conversation with President Trump,” Zelenskyy said.
Trilateral Talks Looming
Trump revealed he expected a trilateral summit with Zelenskyy and Putin soon: “I think it’s going to be when, not if.” He said he would call Putin after Monday’s discussions to advance the plan.
Such a meeting could reshape the war’s trajectory, but questions remain about territorial concessions and the durability of any agreement.
NATO Calls Trump’s Offer a Breakthrough
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described Trump’s willingness to offer U.S. participation in Ukraine’s security guarantees as a “breakthrough.”
“The fact that you have said, ‘I am willing to participate in the security guarantees,’ is a big step. It makes all the difference,” Rutte told Trump. He added that the move had “broken the deadlock” and praised Trump for drawing Putin to the table.
Macron Pushes for European Seat at the Table
French President Emmanuel Macron argued that Europe must be represented in any trilateral talks.
“When we speak about security guarantees, we speak about the whole security of the European continent,” Macron said. He proposed a quadrilateral format, though Trump appeared more focused on pursuing trilateral discussions with Putin and Zelenskyy.
Germany: “The Path Is Open”
But he added: “I can’t imagine the next meeting will take place without a ceasefire. So let’s work on that.”
Around the Table: Voices of Europe
Leaders took turns at the White House roundtable, underscoring shared concerns:
- Rutte (NATO): “We have to stop the killing and destruction.”
- Von der Leyen (EU): “We are here to work together on a just and lasting peace.”
- Merz (Germany): “We must pressure Russia to secure a ceasefire.”
- Meloni (Italy): “Security guarantees are the foundation of peace.”
- Macron (France): “A trilateral meeting is crucial for lasting peace.”
- Starmer (UK): “This is about the security of all Europe.”
- Stubb (Finland): “Team Europe and Team U.S. stand with Ukraine.”
Analysis: Mutual Need, Fragile Peace
Observers note that both Trump and Zelenskyy need each other. Trump wants to fulfill his promise of ending the war, while Zelenskyy requires firm U.S. and European security guarantees before considering compromises.
The dynamic may not produce a permanent peace, but it has thawed relations between the two leaders and advanced the possibility of broader talks with Putin.
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