European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on 18/8 to discuss ways to end the war in Ukraine. The presence of the NATO Secretary General, the President of the European Commission, and the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Finland aimed to demonstrate support for Zelensky, amid concerns that Trump might pressure Ukraine into accepting a deal favorable to Russia.

After welcoming the European leaders, Trump met privately with Zelensky. They then held a joint meeting with the European leaders, an event the NATO Secretary General described as "successful". Differences remained, but the European leaders appeared to have shifted Trump's perspective somewhat after several hours of discussion.

US President Donald Trump poses with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European leaders, and the NATO Secretary General at the White House on 18/8. Photo: Reuters

US President Donald Trump poses with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European leaders, and the NATO Secretary General at the White House on 18/8. Photo: Reuters

The US's role in guaranteeing Ukraine's post-conflict security was central to the discussions. European leaders and Zelensky wanted to know what resources Trump would commit to ensure that Russia would not attack Ukraine again once a peace agreement was reached.

During his meeting with Zelensky, Trump expressed satisfaction with the Ukrainian president's more statesman-like attire of a black jacket, black shirt, and black trousers, compared to his previous military garb. "I like it," Trump said, displaying clear goodwill as he welcomed Zelensky.

Following the meeting, Trump stated he wouldn't rule out deploying US troops to Ukraine for peacekeeping. However, this wasn't a firm commitment, as the US President declared the question of "who will do what" needed further discussion with European leaders.

After the meeting with European leaders, the issue remained unresolved. "We discussed security guarantees for Ukraine, to be provided by several European countries and coordinated with the US," Trump said, without specifying the US's role in ensuring Ukraine's security.

Although Trump made no firm commitments, his not ruling out the option of security guarantees for Ukraine could signal a significant shift in his approach, CNN commented. Trump has frequently pledged to keep the US out of foreign conflicts, and some members of his cabinet have even advocated for Washington to drastically reduce its support for Ukraine.

This development could make it easier for Zelensky to accept other aspects of a potential agreement, observers suggest.

Some European leaders, such as French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, also sought to win Trump's favor by presenting their objectives as if they were the US President's own ideas. They emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire and a strong US commitment to Ukraine's security.

Trump appeared pleased with this. However, the US president rejected the ceasefire proposal and didn't clarify what the US would provide Ukraine to strengthen its defense capabilities under any agreement. Instead, he portrayed Putin as eager to end the war.

"I don't think there are any overly complicated issues. I believe now is the time for everyone to act. I've known President Putin for a long time, and I have a good relationship with him. I think Putin is also looking for a solution," Trump said.

According to sources, Trump at one point paused the meeting with European leaders in the East Room to have a 40-minute phone call with Putin.

"Russia says they will reject a ceasefire, and President Trump declared he could establish a peace agreement without one," Macron told reporters after the meeting. "We all responded that 'we cannot negotiate a peace agreement while bombs are still falling'," he added.

US President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European leaders, and the NATO Secretary General at the White House on 18/8. Photo: AFP

US President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European leaders, and the NATO Secretary General at the White House on 18/8. Photo: AFP

Trump still aims for a trilateral summit between the leaders of the US, Russia, and Ukraine to negotiate an end to the war. "Otherwise, the fighting will continue. If we do, we have a good chance of achieving our goal," Trump said.

During the meeting, French President Macron used his address to the media to propose a four-party meeting, with the inclusion of a European leader.

"Because when we talk about security guarantees, we're talking about the security of the entire European continent," the Elysee Palace chief said.

But Trump didn't seem to welcome this idea, at least in the short term. In a post on Truth Social, the US President only announced that a Russia-Ukraine summit was being arranged, but without a set time or location, to be followed by a trilateral meeting including the US.

US officials hope the meeting will take place soon. German Chancellor Merz said that in a phone call with President Trump, Russia agreed to meet Zelensky within the next two weeks, while the White House and the Kremlin made no specific mention of this.

French President Macron considered the most noteworthy outcome of the meeting with President Trump to be the US's willingness to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. He announced that the "Alliance in Support of Ukraine", established in February, now includes 30 countries, demonstrating Europe's readiness to protect Ukraine's security.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb described the meeting as "constructive" and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said "there has been real progress", producing substantive results on security guarantees. If Trump sees Putin as an obstacle, the US could increase pressure on Russia again, European leaders assessed.

President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and President Donald Trump at the White House on 18/8. Photo: AFP

President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and President Donald Trump at the White House on 18/8. Photo: AFP

For President Zelensky, the meeting was much more amicable than in February, when the Ukrainian leader clashed sharply with the White House chief in front of the media in the Oval Office. He discussed with President Trump a map showing the territories currently controlled by Russia.

Zelensky added that Ukraine's allies would outline detailed security guarantees in the event of a peace agreement with Russia. Among these is a plan for Ukraine to purchase 90 billion USD worth of US weapons with European funding.

An advisor to the Ukrainian President said Zelensky was pleased with the meeting and that the security guarantees from the US and Europe were a significant outcome.

"They are very, very happy with this," the advisor told the Washington Post.

Nhu Tam (Washington Post, CNN)