Ukraine and Europe thwart Trump's peace initiative, averting an immediate crisis for Kyiv in the short term.
In a significant development, President Donald Trump welcomed the push from European leaders to play a key role in resolving Europe's biggest war since 1945, with a particular focus on Ukraine's security.
On August 18, 2025, Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met in Washington and ended the discussion on a positive and cordial note. Trump pledged "very good protection" for Ukraine and affirmed U.S. support to bring an end to Russia's war on Kyiv.
The talks emphasised the importance of security guarantees for Ukraine as part of any peace deal, a stance publicly reinforced by European leaders present at the meeting. The discussion prioritised securing lasting peace through coordinated U.S.-European efforts, although specific issues such as potential territorial concessions were deliberately left out.
Trump, who had previously been criticised for leaning towards Russia's position, appeared to support Ukraine's interests more clearly in this meeting, promising protection and acknowledging the necessity of security guarantees before any ceasefire or further negotiations.
The European leaders were present to ensure that Russia would not invade Ukraine again, and to shape the discussion on Ukraine's long-term security. The US leader stated that European states would be a first line of defense in post-war Ukraine.
The meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska ended with Trump dropping threats of more sanctions on Russia. Putin told Kyiv and European capitals to be constructive and not to disrupt the progress being made.
The European leaders won some important assurances from Trump regarding US involvement in Ukraine's post-war security. The US support for a European-led post-war security effort is potentially crucial, given Russia's rejection of any such role for western troops.
Zelenskiy and Trump agreed to leave the issue of territories to be decided by Zelenskiy and Putin respectively. The leaders of Germany, France, Britain, Italy, and Finland, including the German Chancellor, were present to ensure Russia would not invade Ukraine again and to shape the discussion on Ukraine's long-term security.
Following the meeting, Zelenskiy returned to Washington, and talks on security guarantees are set to begin immediately. With the renewed U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s security, coordination with European allies for peace, and a clear stance on the importance of security guarantees as a foundation for any future agreement involving Ukraine and Russia, the path towards a lasting peace for Ukraine seems to be taking shape.
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