Trump intervened during a Ukraine meeting, engaging in conversation with Putin - Trump intrudes on Ukraine conferences for private discussions with Putin
On Monday, August 18, 2025, a significant meeting took place at the White House, bringing together President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The focus of the meeting was the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
During the meeting, Trump announced his plans to arrange a meeting between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, aiming for a trilateral summit that could lead to peace talks. Trump had already discussed this possibility with Putin and sought coordination among European countries for security guarantees towards Ukraine.
Security guarantees for Ukraine were a central topic, with Trump committing that the US, in coordination with European allies, would provide strong protection for Ukraine as part of any deal. European leaders emphasised the importance of security guarantees and a ceasefire before advancing negotiations or further direct talks.
However, contrary to reports from a previous meeting, Trump did not see the need for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia prior to a peace agreement. This stance was not reaffirmed during the meeting in question.
The meeting was described as more positive compared to Zelenskyy’s previous White House visit, signalling progress in international cooperation and a revived spirit of American leadership in resolving the conflict. European leaders credited Trump’s recent diplomatic efforts for breaking the deadlock with Russia, enabling renewed dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow.
Officials from NATO and Finland praised the momentum created by recent talks. Senator Marco Rubio and other officials noted that "both sides are going to have to make concessions" to achieve a lasting peace agreement.
Trump also made a call to Putin during the meeting, but the details of that conversation were not disclosed. Chancellor Merz, a member of the CDU party, insisted on a ceasefire, emphasising the need for diplomacy to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, with the potential for direct talks between Zelenskyy and Putin on the horizon.
- In the White House meeting on August 18, 2025, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russia President Vladimir Putin's potential meeting was discussed, with President Donald Trump planning to facilitate a trilateral summit between these leaders, aiming to initiate peace talks amid the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, after previous discussions with Putin.
- Amidst calls for a ceasefire from European leaders and officials like Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the meeting on August 18, 2025, highlighted diplomatic efforts towards resolving war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news pertaining to Ukraine's conflict with Russia, as Trump's plans to arrange talks with Putin signaled potential progress.
