Ukraine War Talks Begin at White House Summit/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ukrainian President Zelenskyy arrived at the White House to meet President Trump and top European leaders amid rising pressure to end the war with Russia. The talks follow Trump’s private meeting with Putin, where he pushed Ukraine to consider territorial concessions. European allies are seeking binding U.S. security commitments and a lasting, just peace.
Ukraine Peace Talks Quick Looks
- Zelenskyy met with Trump and EU leaders at the White House.
- Trump urged Ukraine to concede Crimea and Donbas to end the war.
- European leaders demanded joint pressure on Putin and lasting security guarantees.
- Putin continues outreach to India, Brazil, and Belarus amid peace discussions.
- NATO-style defense pact is being explored as an alternative to NATO membership.
- A ceasefire is not required for peace, Trump told allies post-Putin meeting.
- Russia launched deadly drone strikes on Kharkiv as talks began.
- Zelenskyy opposes any territorial concessions, calling them unconstitutional and dangerous.
Deep Look: Zelenskyy Joins Trump and European Allies for Crucial White House War Talks
WASHINGTON, D.C. — August 18, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House Monday for a pivotal summit with U.S. President Donald Trump and Europe’s top leaders to confront the future of the war with Russia. The high-stakes gathering follows Trump’s solo meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska just days earlier — and the geopolitical stakes couldn’t be higher.
Trump has made it clear: he wants the war to end soon — even if that means Ukraine must give up territory. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, is under pressure to avoid being cast as the obstacle to peace.
After meeting privately with Trump, Zelenskyy is expected to join a group of heavyweight European leaders: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
They were excluded from Trump’s discussions with Putin — a fact that left European allies uneasy. Monday’s talks, therefore, also serve as a test of transatlantic trust.
“We understand that we shouldn’t expect Putin to voluntarily abandon aggression,” Zelenskyy posted ahead of the meeting. “That is why pressure must work, and it must be joint pressure — from the U.S., Europe, and the world.”
Trump Suggests Concessions, Zelenskyy Pushes Back
Trump, in a weekend post on Truth Social, said Zelenskyy could end the war “almost immediately” if he dropped Ukraine’s NATO bid and accepted the loss of Crimea — annexed by Russia in 2014. He accused President Obama of “giving away Crimea without a shot” and warned that “some things never change.”
Zelenskyy replied with a diplomatic counter on X: “Peace must be lasting. It cannot be the kind of ‘peace’ that Russia used as a springboard for another attack.”
The Ukrainian constitution forbids surrendering land. Zelenskyy has consistently rejected giving up Crimea or the Donbas region — both core Putin demands — fearing it would not end hostilities but embolden future aggression.
What’s On the Table: Security Guarantees, Not NATO?
European leaders are pushing for a durable peace that includes concrete security guarantees. Trump’s team floated a NATO-style commitment: allies would pledge to defend Ukraine if it’s attacked again, even without formal NATO membership — a key Russian red line.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said Monday, “There are no easy solutions, but we must work on peace, justice, and security for all our countries.”
European officials have indicated that while a temporary ceasefire is not off the table, the goal is to obtain binding commitments that prevent future conflict — and hold Russia accountable.
Putin’s Position: Still Aggressive, Still Calling Allies
While diplomacy unfolded in Washington, Putin was busy rallying support from other global powers. He spoke Monday with the leaders of India, Brazil, South Africa, and Central Asian nations. The Kremlin said the calls were to update allies on outcomes from the Alaska summit with Trump.
Putin remains committed to capturing the full Donbas region, according to both European and U.S. officials. That demand — plus his insistence on Ukraine giving up NATO ambitions — remains a central obstacle.
Behind the Scenes: A Test for Zelenskyy
Sources close to the talks say the White House meeting may prove extremely difficult for Zelenskyy. He faces a tightrope: resisting Trump’s push for concessions while avoiding blame for delaying peace. Ukraine has requested a future trilateral summit between Trump, Zelenskyy, and Putin — a move designed to keep diplomacy alive while protecting its sovereignty.
Trump envoy Steve Witkoff described a NATO-style defense pledge as a “game-changer,” though specific terms remain vague.
Zelenskyy previously endured a tense Oval Office meeting with Trump in February, during which he was criticized for wearing military-style attire. That incident led to diplomatic friction, later eased through constant communication and a brief meeting at the Vatican in April. By then, Zelenskyy began laying the groundwork for these current talks.
Drone Strikes Underscore the Stakes
Even as peace talks ramped up, Russia escalated attacks on Ukrainian cities. A drone strike on Kharkiv killed seven civilians on Sunday, including a child. Missiles also targeted Odesa and the Sumy region. Ukrainian officials say Russia launched over 140 drones and ballistic missiles over 48 hours, with most intercepted.
“The war must be brought to an end. And it is Moscow that must hear: ‘Stop,’” Zelenskyy stated in a message condemning the attacks.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.