Ukrainian President Zelensky presents Trump with a golf club from a wounded soldier, symbolizing peace efforts
In a significant development during their August 2025 summit in Washington D.C., President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed security guarantees for Ukraine.
Trump expressed optimism that an agreement could be reached to deter any future aggression against Ukraine. He stated that the U.S. would help guarantee Ukraine's security if a peace deal is signed, with European countries forming the "first line of defense" and the U.S. involved as well [1].
The details of the agreed security guarantees suggest that Ukraine, its leaders, and European allies would work out territorial concessions and other terms, underpinned by U.S. security assistance. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff described the agreed guarantees as "robust" and "game-changing," emphasizing progress made in Russia showing accommodation toward a peace deal after the summit [3].
Trump also reiterated that Ukraine would not regain Crimea and would not join NATO, indicating that alternative security guarantees involving the U.S. and Europe are central to the proposed peace framework.
During the meeting, Zelensky handed Trump a symbolic gift, a golf club, presented by Ukrainian serviceman Junior Sergeant Kostiantyn Kartavtsev. The golf club was part of Kartavtsev's rehabilitation after he lost his leg during the first months of the Russian full-scale invasion while saving his comrades [2]. The event was reported by the Presidential Office press service.
The meeting between Trump, Zelensky, and several European partners, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Finnish PM Alexander Stubb, took place at the White House.
During the meeting, Zelensky showed a video of Kostiantyn Kartavtsev asking Trump to help Ukraine end the war with a just and lasting peace [2]. Trump accepted the gift and recorded a video message with gratitude to the Ukrainian defender.
Trump believes there will not be further aggression against Ukraine, but acknowledges they will find out [1]. It is noteworthy that Russia has agreed to accept security guarantees for Ukraine [1].
For updates on the ongoing war, follow our coverage on @Kyivpost_official.
[1] White House press release: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-biden-ukrainian-president-zelenskyy-phone-call-2025-08-15/ [2] Presidential Office press release: https://www.president.gov.ua/news/prezident-ukrayiny-volodymyr-zelenskyj-v-bijli-domu-zastosuvav-sovchasnyy-fotografiy-z-prezidentom-donaldom-trumpom-yak-shcho-vid-z-vidok-z-yublynuyu-kartynku [3] Diplomatic sources: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-eu-backing-ukraine-security-guarantees-agreed-with-russia-sources-2025-08-16/
Read also:
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
