Trump Convenes White House Ukraine Summit: Zelenskyy Open to Direct Putin Talks Amidst Peace Push

On August 18, 2025, President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a delegation of European leaders at the White House, marking a significant push for peace in the ongoing conflict with Russia. The high-stakes summit, which followed a recent meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, focused on negotiating an end to the nearly four-year-long war.

During the extensive discussions, Zelenskyy signaled his readiness for an “unconditional” meeting with President Putin. This openness aligns with President Trump’s stated goal of facilitating direct talks between the two leaders. Notably, Trump placed a call to Putin during the summit, reportedly to begin arrangements for a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, which would then be followed by a trilateral meeting involving himself.

European leaders present, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron, underscored the urgency of a ceasefire and robust security guarantees for Ukraine. Discussions also touched upon potential security frameworks, including a significant proposed $100 billion arms purchase by Ukraine with European financing. While optimism was expressed regarding the process, challenges remain, particularly concerning Russia’s stance on territorial concessions and the immediate feasibility of a ceasefire. Zelenskyy and his team have since departed Washington, with the next steps for a potential peace agreement keenly awaited.

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