WASHINGTON (WSJ) – President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a group of European leaders sounded upbeat during a White House meeting Monday about the prospects of finding a way to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump called Monday’s meeting after his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, where the Russian leader rejected a cease-fire and called on Ukraine to cede land in the country’s east in exchange for a freeze in the front line elsewhere.
During an opening exchange, Trump and Zelensky struck a warmer tone than their last Oval Office encounter in February, which devolved into a televised showdown that alarmed European allies. Zelensky, who was chided last time for not sufficiently thanking American officials for their support, expressed his gratitude repeatedly at the start of the meeting. He also received compliments on the outfit he wore—after being criticized last time for not wearing a suit to the White House.
Ukrainain President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meets some of the European leaders Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte, at the Ukrainian Embassy, ahead of their meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 18, 2025.
Trump sounded optimistic notes at the start of Monday’s meeting and said he would work with both sides on a permanent resolution to the war, and that he didn’t see the need for a temporary cease-fire.
The tone was likewise collegial during a meeting between Trump and top European officials, who exchanged praise while laying out the main topics of conversation, including whether any peace deal would require an exchange of territory with Russia.
U.S. President Donald Trump greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the White House, amid negotiations to end the Russian war in Ukraine, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 18, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Another main topic on Monday will be what security guarantees Ukraine would receive as part of any deal to end the fighting and prevent Russia from attacking again. Asked what security guarantees he needs, Zelensky replied, “Everything.” Trump said the U.S. would be involved in some capacity, alluding to a NATO-like arrangement led by Europe. “And we’ll help them out with that,” he said. “I think it’s very important to get the deal done.”
What’s changed: The Trump administration has recently expressed support for security guarantees. But Russia has presented sweeping territorial demands, including claims to territory that it hasn’t been able to conquer militarily.
Who’s involved: A host of European leaders—including French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer—have joined Zelensky on his White House visit.
What’s on the schedule: After meeting with Zelensky, Trump is now huddling with top European officials. Trump has said that he will call Putin after Monday’s meetings. He has said he would like to host a trilateral summit with Zelensky and Putin to try to broker a deal to end the war.
What’s at stake: In a sign of the pressure the Ukrainian leader could face, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform ahead of the meeting that Zelensky “can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight.” Ukraine has consistently said it is ready for a cease-fire but can’t give up territory.
The upshot: The concern for Ukraine is that if Zelensky doesn’t agree to a deal, the U.S. could withhold its crucial political and military support, which includes weapons and intelligence. When the pair last met in the Oval Office, that for a short time was exactly the outcome.
U.S. President Donald Trump receives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the White House amid negotiations to end the Russian war in Ukraine, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 18, 2025. REUTERS/Jessica Koscielniak
