Zelenskyy Discusses Peace for Ukraine with Europeans in Meeting with Trump
In a bid to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to act as a mediator, aiming to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky together for a peace meeting at the White House. However, as of late August 2025, no specific US peace plan detailing expected Ukrainian concessions has been disclosed.
Zelensky, backed by significant support from European leaders such as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, has remained steadfast in his pursuit of defending Ukrainian sovereignty. He has repeatedly rejected Russian ultimatums that resemble territorial concessions or forced neutrality.
While Trump has discussed the importance of dialogue, he has not outlined concrete security guarantees or a detailed peace plan. Instead, the scenario being discussed does not put NATO on duty in the event of defense; instead, the United States and European countries would ensure Ukraine's security.
Russia, on the other hand, has presented conditions including Ukraine becoming neutral, demilitarization, and handing over annexed territories, which Ukraine strongly opposes. Putin has shown little interest in a meeting with Zelensky, questioning Zelensky's authority due to the country being at war and not holding elections.
The aim of the proposed meeting is to end the Russian invasion and stop the killing in Ukraine. A ceasefire remains on the agenda, but the overriding goal is a "comprehensive peace agreement". However, analysts warn that Trump's diplomatic efforts risk appearing as sidelining Ukraine's interests or pushing reconciliation without Ukraine's full consent.
Zelensky and the Europeans want to maintain the sanctions pressure on Russia and secure guarantees for Ukraine's security. The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed a collective security clause for Ukraine based on Article 5 of the NATO treaty, without Ukraine becoming a member of NATO. The Europeans prioritize the US's involvement in the security guarantees for Ukraine.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff stated that Russia is agreeable to the US and European allies providing NATO-like security guarantees to Ukraine. Despite this, Ukrainian officials continue to seek strong security guarantees and military support from allies rather than concessions to Russia.
The dynamics of the meeting are expected to change with Zelensky's upcoming visit to Washington, where he will be accompanied not only by his Ukrainian delegation but also by reinforcements from Europe. This could potentially shift the balance of power in the negotiations.
In the midst of these complex negotiations, one thing remains clear: Zelensky remains focused on defending Ukrainian sovereignty and pursuing international support for Ukraine’s defense and justice for war crimes.
War-and-conflicts continue to dominate general-news, with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine still unresolved. Despite US President Donald Trump's expressed desire to act as a mediator, no specific US peace plan, detailing expected Ukrainian concessions, has been disclosed, and comparable security guarantees are being sought by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies.
Politics surrounding the conflict between Ukraine and Russia have been marked by ongoing negotiations, with Zelensky and the Europeans prioritizing the US's involvement in security guarantees for Ukraine while maintaining sanctions pressure on Russia and seeking guarantees for Ukraine's sovereignty.
