International politicians seal fresh connections with Trump and Zelensky, following their meeting in Alaska
In the wake of the Alaska summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, a series of high-profile meetings are taking place to discuss the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War and potential security guarantees for Ukraine.
On August 18, 2025, President Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and eight European leaders at the White House. The meeting, which followed the Alaska summit, focused on proposing robust security guarantees for Ukraine, similar to NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause, and committing to treat an attack on Ukraine as an attack on all participating countries.
Key details of the August 18 meeting include a strong consensus among European leaders, such as Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, calling for security guarantees that would cover not only Ukraine but the entire European continent’s security.
During the meeting, Trump briefly spoke with Putin by phone in a private conversation, pausing the discussions among the other leaders. Trump showed willingness to offer U.S. security guarantees to Ukraine, albeit without providing specific details. There was support among all participants for a future trilateral meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy, and Putin to negotiate peace terms, although Putin remains resistant.
Discussions highlighted differences regarding a ceasefire. European leaders generally supported a ceasefire, while Trump questioned its immediate necessity. The German Chancellor Merz used an analogy, comparing Russia’s demand for Kyiv to cede control of free parts of Donbass to an unprecedented territorial concession, similar to the U.S. losing Florida.
Since the August 18 meeting, no more formal meetings have been indicated, but diplomatic efforts are continuing to focus on security guarantees and a potential trilateral session involving Russia. The Élysée, the office of the French President, has confirmed a meeting between Macron and Zelensky. European leaders are closely following the upcoming bilateral meeting between Trump and Putin.
In recent days, European governments and the EU as a whole have shown support for President Zelensky. A meeting at the ambassadorial level in the EU is scheduled for Saturday. Macron and Zelensky have agreed to meet in the future, although no specific dates have been provided.
The focus of the upcoming meeting between Macron and Zelensky is not disclosed. Meanwhile, European political leaders anticipate that Trump may share his perspective on the Alaska meeting in the coming days. Zelensky attended a videoconference with Trump on an unspecified date and traveled to London the following day.
A second call between Trump and various leaders, including those from France, Germany, the UK, NATO, and the European Commission and Council, is expected in the coming days. The meeting between Trump and Putin is scheduled for Friday.
This series of meetings marks an unprecedented gathering of world leaders in the White House, aiming to tackle the European security crisis and explore diplomatic avenues to achieve peace and security for Ukraine and the entire European continent.
- The series of meetings, including the one held at the White House on August 18, 2025, has seen discussions on providing security guarantees for Ukraine, a topic also covered under general news and politics.
- As diplomatic efforts continue, European leaders are following the upcoming meeting between President Trump and President Putin, an event that could significantly impact the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War and war-and-conflicts news.
