President Donald Trump held important talks at the White House on Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting happened after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, joined the talks to show support for Ukraine.
The talks marked a much friendlier meeting compared to the heated February encounter between Trump and Zelenskyy. This time, Trump thanked Zelenskyy for his efforts, and both leaders appeared positive about finding a path to peace. The Ukrainian leader was joined by top European officials who wanted to make sure Europe has a say in any peace deal.
Trump made clear his position on two key issues that Ukraine has been fighting for. According to ABC News, Trump said that Ukraine’s hopes of joining NATO and regaining the Crimean Peninsula from Russia are “both impossible.” He also promised that American troops would not be sent to help defend Ukraine, after initially leaving that possibility open the day before. The president stressed that European countries would take the lead on providing security guarantees for Ukraine.
Security guarantees take center stage in peace talks
The main focus of the White House meetings was on security guarantees for Ukraine. All the leaders agreed that Ukraine needs strong protection to prevent Russia from attacking again in the future. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said the discussion included plans for Ukraine to purchase $90 billion in American weapons through European funding as part of the country’s security guarantees. He added that another part of the deal would involve Ukraine making drones, some of which would be bought by the U.S.
The White House confirms that US troops will not be deployed on the ground in Ukraine, but the US can assist with coordination and provide other forms of security guarantees. pic.twitter.com/J0CTHhvKs0
— Vanguard Intel Group(@vanguardintel) August 19, 2025
Trump’s evolving stance on Ukraine became clear as he said the United States would help with security but would not put American troops on the ground. Instead, he pointed to European countries as the “first line of defense” since they are closer to the conflict. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte thanked Trump for his commitment to help with security guarantees, calling it a “breakthrough” moment.
After the talks ended, Trump announced he was setting up a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy. He said this would be followed by a three-way meeting that would include him. Trump posted on social media that he had spoken with Putin and “began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined”. The Ukrainian leader said he was ready for any format of talks with the Russian president.
The meeting showed how Trump’s approach to Ukraine has evolved since taking office. While he has ruled out sending American forces, he has committed to helping Ukraine defend itself through other means. European leaders seem hopeful that this approach could lead to a lasting peace deal, though many challenges remain in the coming negotiations with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
