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In Australia, the conservative opposition appears likely to support any government decision to send Australian peacekeepers to Ukraine if the US-European talks lead to peace.
When Labor prime minister Anthony Albanese previously said Australia would consider requests to join a peacekeeping force, then opposition leader Peter Dutton dismissed it as a “thought bubble”. But Dutton’s successor, Sussan Ley, has now indicated the opposition is open to Australia joining a global effort in Ukraine.
A Ley spokesperson said:
We will work constructively with the government in our national interest when it comes to our international relationships.
The opposition unequivocally supported Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion, the spokesperson added.
Australian Associated Press also reports that Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, said bipartisanship on his country’s security was vital.
I welcome that decision, I think that’s a very smart decision. We’ve traditionally had that bipartisan support and I think it’s the right thing to do.
Updated
British prime minister Keir Starmer has given some more comments, hailing “real progress” at the summit.
Speaking after the event, Starmer described the talks as “good and constructive”, adding: “There was a real sense of unity between the European leaders that were there, and President Trump and President Zelensky.”
The prime minister highlighted “two material outcomes” from the talks, firstly that the coalition of the willing “will now work with the US” on security guarantees.
“That’s really important for security in Ukraine, for security in Europe, and for security in the UK,” Starmer said.
“The other material outcome was the agreement that there will now be a bilateral agreement between President Putin and President Zelensky, that was after a phone call between President Trump and President Putin during the course of this afternoon, followed by a trilateral that will add in Trump.
That is a recognition of the principle that on some of these issues, whether it’s territory or the exchange of prisoners, or the very serious issue of the return of children, that is something where Ukraine must be at the table.
These were the two outcomes that were the most important coming out of today. They’re positive outcomes, there was a real sense of unity. We’ve made real progress today.
Updated
On Monday Volodymyr Zelenskyy garnered compliments from both Donald Trump and the White House press pool for his formal jacket and trousers, after criticism of the clothes he chose to wear for his first visit the White House in February.
Womenswear Daily has interviewed the Ukrainian man who designed the new suit. Viktor Anisimov told the magazine that Zelenskyy’s suit was not made in response to the previous meeting.
“It’s not about the suit – it’s about what happens to Ukraine,” Anisimov told the magazine.
Updated
During the talks Donald Trump and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen reportedly spoke about the issue of missing children. Later, Von der Leyen tweeted that “every single Ukrainian child abducted by Russia must be returned to their families”.
The human cost of this war must end.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 18, 2025
And that means every single Ukrainian child abducted by Russia must be returned to their families.
I thank @POTUS for his clear commitment today to ensuring these children are reunited with their loved ones. pic.twitter.com/bRyS83Sdxr
Trump’s wife, Melania Trump, had raised the plight of children in Ukraine and Russia in a personal letter to Russian president Vladimir Putin, two White House officials said on Friday when Trump met Putin at a summit in Alaska. Trump hand-delivered that letter to Putin.
As many as 35,000 Ukrainian children are still missing and thought to be held in Russia or Russian-occupied territories, according to an American team of experts, with families saying they are being forced to take desperate and risky measures to try to rescue them.
Updated
Debris from destroyed Ukrainian drones sparked fires at an oil refinery and a hospital roof in Russia’s Volgograd region, the administration of the southwestern Russian region said on Tuesday in a post on the Telegram messaging app.
“Firefighters are working on site trying to contain and extinguish the fires,” the administration cited the region’s governor, Andrei Bocharov, as saying in its post, which was reported by Reuters.
“According to preliminary information, there are no injuries.”
Summary
It’s 10.25pm in Washington DC and here’s a recap of the day’s key events so far:
A Ukraine peace deal appeared far from imminent after Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders met Donald Trump at the White House and the US president ruled out a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war, despite last week warning Moscow of “very severe consequences” if Vladimir Putin didn’t agree to halt the fighting. Trump said while sitting with the leaders on Monday: “All of us would obviously prefer an immediate ceasefire while we work on a lasting peace. Maybe something like that could happen. As of this moment, it’s not happening.”
Trump told Zelenskyy the US would help guarantee Ukraine’s security in any deal to end the war, though the extent of any assistance was not immediately clear. “I believe this is a major step forward,” Zelenskyy said, also saying security guarantees for Ukraine would probably be worked out within 10 days.
Vladimir Putin has agreed to face-to-face talks with Zelenskyy, according to Trump and European leaders, but Russia has not confirmed any meeting. Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that arrangements were under way for a Zelenskyy-Putin meeting and, later, a trilateral meeting between the two along with Trump. The Russian president has previously resisted a one-on-one meeting with Zelenskyy. Ukraine’s leader said it was ready to meet with Russia in “any format” and that territorial issues are “something we will leave between me and Putin”.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz said Putin told Trump in a call during the White House meeting that he was ready to meet Zelenskyy “within the next two weeks”. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin and Trump only discussed the “idea” of direct Russia-Ukraine talks in Monday’s phone call and that Putin told Trump he was open to the “idea” of direct talks with Ukraine.
Trump described his meeting with Zelenskyy and the leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union and Nato as “a very good, early step for a war that has been going on for almost four years”. He also wrote on social media that “everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine”.
French president Emmanuel Macron called for stepping up sanctions against Russia if Vladimir Putin does not move forward on peace with Ukraine.German chancellor Friedrich Merz says Ukraine should not be forced to surrender its Donbas region to Russia in talks, likening it to the US giving up Florida. Finnish president Alexander Stubb said the main agreement from the White House meeting was that the killing had to end and that it remained to be seen if Putin had the courage to meet Zelenskyy. “Putin is rarely to be trusted,” Stubb said.
Trump, however, seemed clearly swayed by Putin from their talks in Alaska last Friday and echoed the Russian president’s talking points, saying several times on Monday that ending the war was “up to” both Zelenskyy and Putin – rather than just Putin, the invader. Trump also said: “We also need to discuss the possible exchanges of territory, taking into consideration the current line of contact – that means the war zone.”
Ukraine will promise to buy $100bn of US weapons financed by Europe as part of a deal to get guarantees from the US for its security if there is a peace settlement with Russia, according to news reports.
In stark contrast to the heated exchange during Zelenskyy’s first trip to Trump’s White House in February, the Ukrainian president’s charm offensive this time around looked to pay off, allowing him to emerge unscathed. Zelenskyy – who wore a black military-style suit and presented a letter from his wife, Olena Zelenska, for Melania Trump in response to her letter to Putin – said this meeting with Trump was his “best” so far.
Updated
Here’s a fresh video of the proceedings in the White House as Donald Trump ruled out a ceasefire in Ukraine while Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his European allies visited the US president.
Trump said he had called Vladimir Putin and begun arrangements for a meeting between the Russian president and Ukrainian leader, also saying that “all of us would obviously prefer an immediate ceasefire ... as of this moment it’s not happening”.
However, the leaders of France and Germany refused to accept defeat on the issue, with German chancellor Friedrich Merz insisting “we would all like to see a ceasefire” and he could not imagine the next meeting taking place without one, and French president Emmanuel Macron also backing the idea of a truce as a “necessity”.
Here’s the video wrap of the Washington meeting:
Updated
Ukraine will promise to buy $100bn of US weapons financed by Europe as part of a deal to get guarantees from the US for its security if there is a peace settlement with Russia, according to reports.
Warren Murray writes in our Ukraine war briefing that the Financial Times cited a document seen by its reporter, while the Washington Post said it had also confirmed the proposal.
The FT added that Ukraine and the US would also strike a $50bn deal to produce drones with Ukrainian companies.
The drone news may be repeat of recent similar announcements.
You can read the full Ukraine briefing here:
Returning now to the Finnish president’s comments after the White House meeting, Alexander Stubb said his Russian counterpart was not trustworthy.
“Putin is rarely to be trusted,” Stubb told Finnish reporters, cited by Reuters. “So now it remains to be seen whether he has the courage to come to this type of meeting.
Does he have the courage to come to a trilateral meeting, or is he once again playing for time?
Updated
French president Emmanuel Macron has called for stepping up sanctions against Russia if Vladimir Putin does not move forward on peace with Ukraine.
“President Trump believes we can get an agreement and believes that President Putin also wants a peace accord,” Macron told reporters after the talks at the White House.
“But if at the end this process is met by refusal, we are also ready to say that we need to increase sanctions.”
Macron pointed to recent secondary sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on India, a major buyer of Russian energy as western nations cut back due to sanctions over Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Macron said the secondary sanctions on India had “had a lot of effects”, Agence France-Presse reports.
Over the weekend, Trump publicly again pressured Ukraine to concede territory, siding with Putin and not Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has insisted on defending all territory that Russia has taken by force.
Asked by reporters if Trump had said that concessions were necessary before any US security guarantees to Ukraine, Macron said: “No, that wasn’t discussed at all. We’re well away from that.”
He said he hoped Russia and Ukraine would resume contact “in the coming days” with a potential three-way summit involving Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy “in two to three weeks”.
Updated
As Donald Trump touted his bona fides as the so-called “peacemaker-in-chief” during talks over Ukraine at the White House, he made two big claims: that he wants peace deals instead of ceasefires, and that he has ended six wars since he became president.
But as Andrew Roth explains, in Trump’s haste to hammer out a peace deal in Ukraine, he is playing fast and loose with the truth.
Trump and his administration have claimed to have helped settle the conflicts between Israel and Iran, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, Cambodia and Thailand, India and Pakistan, Serbia and Kosovo, and Egypt and Ethiopia …
On the subject of ceasefires, by Trump’s own admission, he has often been seeking them in these conflicts. Now, he has sought to rewrite the record, piling pressure on Ukraine.
Trump’s declaration that he was not seeking a ceasefire in Ukraine came after last week’s meeting Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where the Russian president initially demanded that Ukraine cede control over territory in the country’s southeast before negotiating a ceasefire.
The question is crucial to the sequencing of an eventual peace in Ukraine.
You can read Roth’s full explainer here:
Updated
French president Emmanuel Macron says any future peace deal between Russia and Ukraine cannot restrict the size of Kyiv’s military.
Macron told reporters that Donald Trump and European leaders had agreed on the need for a “robust Ukrainian army that can resist any attempted attack” and that it would not have “any limitation in number or capacity of arms”.
Macron also said on Monday the White House talks did not discuss Ukrainian territorial concessions, AFP is reporting.
Updated
Zelenskyy says Ukraine security guarantees likely within 10 days
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is saying security guarantees for Kyiv will likely be worked out within the next 10 days.
“Security guarantees will probably be ‘unpacked’ by our partners, and more and more details will emerge,” the Ukrainian president said at a broadcast press briefing after his meetings in Washington DC.
“All of this will somehow be formalised on paper within the next week to 10 days,” he said on Tuesday, quoted by Reuters.
Zelenskyy also said territorial issues related to a potential peace agreement would be worked out between Ukraine and Russia.
Updated
German chancellor Friedrich Merz says Ukraine should not be forced to surrender its Donbas region to Russia in talks, likening it to the US giving up a state.
“The Russian demand that Kyiv give up the free parts of Donbas corresponds, to put it bluntly, to a proposal for the United States to have to give up Florida,” Merz told reporters after the White House talks on Monday.
Merz said Putin and Trump – in their call in the midst of the talks – “agreed that there would be a meeting between the Russian president and the Ukrainian president within the next two weeks”.
Merz, quoted by Agence France-Presse, also said Trump voiced a readiness to offer security guarantees to Ukraine, even though the US president put the onus on Europeans.
The German chancellor said:
The bottom line is that the United States of America is prepared to provide security guarantees and to coordinate this with the Europeans. There will be appropriate security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement.
Trump has repeatedly ruled out Ukraine entering Nato, siding with Putin who has called the step a provocation.
Updated
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov has said Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump only discussed the “idea” of direct Russia-Ukraine talks in Monday’s phone call.
Russia’s Tass news agency quoted the aide as saying Putin told Trump that he was open to the “idea” of direct talks with Ukraine.
Tass, cited by Agence France-Presse, quoted Ushakov as saying:
In the course of the further phone conversation, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump expressed support for the continuation of direct negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine.
In this regard, in particular, the idea was discussed that it would be necessary to study the possibility of raising the level of representatives of the Ukrainian and Russian sides, that is, those representatives who participate in the aforementioned direct negotiations.
Updated
Zelenskyy says he is ready to meet Putin – report
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is ready for a bilateral meeting with Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, Agence France-Presse is reporting.
Updated
Vladimir Putin told Donald Trump he was ready to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy within a fortnight, German chancellor Friedrich Merz has told reporters.
Merz said that Putin and Trump – in their phone call in the midst of the White House talks – “agreed that there would be a meeting between the Russian president and the Ukrainian president within the next two weeks”, Agence France-Presse reports.
Updated
Finland’s president has said the main agreement from the White House meeting was that the killing has to end.
Alexander Stubb said Donald Trump felt like it was a good idea to call Vladimir Putin and propose a bilateral meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin, adding that it remained to be seen if Putin had the courage to come to such a meeting, Reuters is reporting
Putin could not be trusted, Stubb also said.
It was reported earlier that Trump interrupted his White House talks with European leaders to make the call to the Russian president.
Updated
Donald Trump also said in his Truth Social post that during today’s Washington talks he and European leaders discussed security guarantees for Ukraine and “which Guarantees would be provided by the various European Countries, with a coordination with the United States of America”.
Earlier in the day, when asked if future security guarantees for Ukraine could involve American troops, the US president didn’t rule it out.
Trump said:
When it comes to security there’s going to be a lot of help … They’re the first line of defence because they’re there, Europe, but we’re going to help them out also, we’ll be involved.
Updated
Six European leaders joined Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the Washington meeting with Donald Trump – here’s what the scenes looked like.
Trump claims he is setting up meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin
Donald Trump has taken to social media to say arrangements are under way for a future meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin and, later, a trilateral meeting between the two along with Trump.
The US president posted on his Truth Social platform that today’s meeting in Washington was “a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years”.
He said vice-president JD Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff were “coordinating with Russia and Ukraine”.
Trump said:
Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine. At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy. After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself.
Putin has previously resisted a one-on-one meeting with Zelenskyy.
Updated
That’s all from me Lucy Campbell for today. My colleague Adam Fulton will be along shortly to steer you through the rest of the day’s news.
The reporter who criticised Volodymyr Zelenskyy for not dressing formally enough during his last meeting with Donald Trump said the Ukrainian president looked ‘fabulous’ in his suit during their latest meeting at the White House – and our video colleagues have clipped the exchange here:
Russian strategic bombers take off for possible attack on Ukraine, Ukraine's Air Force says
Ukraine’s Air Force said early on Tuesday (local time) that two Russian strategic bombers took off from Russian airfields for a possible attack on Ukraine.
“We will provide additional updates if the situation changes,” the Air Force said on the Telegram messaging app.
Zelenskyy to stay in DC for more talks as meeting ends - report
A spokesperson for Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told NBC News: “The meeting has ended, but European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are staying for now in DC to continue talks, potentially in another format.”
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen posted an image of the leaders alongside Donald Trump inside the White House with a message of unity and stressing the need for strong security guarantees for Ukraine.
We are here, as allies and friends, for peace in Ukraine and in Europe.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 18, 2025
This is an important moment, as we continue to work on strong security guarantees for Ukraine and a lasting and durable peace. pic.twitter.com/FFF0Fqcq6y
Trump's meeting with European leaders has ended
We now have confirmation from the White House that Donald Trump’s talks with European leaders in the east room has concluded.
Reuters and AFP are also reporting that Donald Trump paused his meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the other European leaders to call Vladimir Putin. Reuters cites an EU diplomat, while AFP cites an unnamed source close to the talks.
Updated
The day so far
At the time of writing, Donald Trump has ruled out a ceasefire in Ukraine as Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his European allies visited the White House to push for US-backed security guarantees as part of any long-term peace deal. The US president, who only last week warned Russia of “very severe consequences” if Vladimir Putin failed to agree to a halt the fighting, made clear today that he had reversed his position. Later, sitting with the other European leaders in the east room, he acknowledged: “All of us would obviously prefer an immediate ceasefire while we work on a lasting peace. Maybe something like that could happen. As of this moment, it’s not happening.”
But some of the European allies refused to accept defeat on the ceasefire issue, mindful that the lack of one allows Putin more time to wage his war of aggression. Friedrich Merz, the chancellor of Germany, insisted that “we would all like to see a ceasefire” and he could not imagine the next meeting taking place without one. Emmanuel Macron, the French president, also backed the idea of a “truce” as a “necessity”, adding: “We all support this idea.” By way of strategy, the leaders led with praise and gratitude for Trump, and several notably mirrored his language (for example, saying they wanted to “stop the killing”) and stressing the importance of protecting Ukraine’s children, referencing his wife Melania’s letter sent over the weekend to Putin urging him to consider children impacted by the war.
Trump, though, was clearly swayed by Putin in Alaska and echoing his talking points. He said several times today that ending the war was “up to” both Zelenskyy and Putin (as opposed to just Putin, the invader). Ominously for Ukraine, Trump also added: “We also need to discuss the possible exchanges of territory, taking into consideration the current line of contact – that means the war zone.”
But he said Putin had accepted there would be security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a peace deal and that the US would help guarantee Ukraine’s safety, which Kyiv has long said would be essential for a lasting peace. “When it comes to security, there’s going to be a lot of help,” Trump said. He declined to rule out sending US troops to Ukraine, noting it would be a discussion point with European leaders. But he also made it clear that European countries would be expected to mostly carry the burden, saying: “They are a first line of defence because they’re there. But we’ll help them out.”
Several of the leaders emphasised the importance of the security guarantees to deter Russia from attacking again. Macron said: “The first one is clearly a credible Ukrainian army for the years and decades to come.” Europe was also clear about carrying its “fair share” of the burden, he said, “so you can count on this as we can continue”. Giorgia Meloni, the Italian PM, said: ‘We will talk about many important topics. The first one is security guarantees, how to be sure that it won’t happen again, which is the precondition of every kind of peace.”
Trump also expressed hope that the talks with Zelenskyy could lead to a trilateral meeting with Putin. “I think if everything works out well today we’ll have a [trilateral meeting], and I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that.”
And in stark contrast to the infamously heated exchange during Zelenskyy’s first trip to Trump’s White House in February, the Ukrainian president’s charm offensive this time around – which included wearing a black military-style suit and presenting a letter from his wife, Olena Zelenska, for Melania Trump in response to her letter to Putin – seemed to pay off, allowing him to emerge unscathed. But the state of play for Ukraine coming out of today’s meetings remains to be seen, and we’ll bring you more as soon as we get it.
Updated
Sources in the Ukrainian delegation at the White House have told the BBC that talks involving Trump, Zelenskyy and European leaders have ended. We’ll bring you more as we get it.
Trump interrupts talks with European leaders to call Putin - report
Donald Trump has interrupted his talks in Washington with European leaders to call Vladimir Putin, German newspaper Bild is reporting.
Bild said the meetings are due to resume after the call, which Trump had initially said would take place afterwards.
Sketch: All smoke and no fire as Zelenskky emerges unbruised after Trump meet
If there was a sign that Volodymyr Zelenskyy wasn’t going to be immediately voted off the island of the Donald Trump diplomacy show, it came early on when a familiar voice commended his choice of attire.
“President Zelensky, you look fabulous in that suit,” said Brian Glenn, a pro-Trump pundit and member of the White House press corps, who had attacked him for wearing military fatigues during the infamous Oval Office meeting in February. “I said the same thing,” Trump added.
“You are in the same suit,” Zelenskyy shot back, earning smiles and laughter from the room including the US president. “I changed, you did not.”
Thus did Zelenskyy survive his first media appearance at the White House with Trump on Monday as the US president focused less on belittling the leader of a wartime ally than boasting – and in many cases exaggerating – his exploits as a peacemaker in world conflicts.
Zelenskyy, dressed reluctantly in a black military-style suit to appease sticklers for protocol in the White House, largely sat by quietly as Trump claimed to have hammered out peace deals in six wars including one the veteran real estate developer said had taken place in the “Republic of the Condo”.
From Trump there was hyperbole about his ability to broker peace deals, digressions to internal US political battles over mail-in ballots, nebulous declarations about how he would end the conflict and evasions over how he would do that without negotiating a ceasefire.
But there were no explosions – which meant for Zelenskyy it probably went as well as it could have.
He found a far more hospitable welcome from both Trump and JD Vance, and he kicked off the meeting with some high-level flattery, thanking Trump profusely for his efforts to end the conflict and praising Melania Trump for sending a letter to Putin about abducted Ukrainian children.
There was little detail about the peace deal that Trump wanted to hammer out, except for the fact that he wanted to skip past a ceasefire – too difficult to actually negotiate – and go straight for a peace deal.
And yet it appeared that all – or at least most – sides were keen to smooth over their differences in order to prevent Ukraine as being seen as the main obstruction to peace and of throwing the ball back to Putin.
What has Vladimir Putin been up to today during the great international assembly at the White House?
It appears to have been a drab day in Moscow all around, damp and grey and the Russian president hosting a meeting at the Kremlin with the acting governor of the Rostov region, Yury Slyusar.
One gripping regional media headline is: “Putin noted a decrease in the pace of agricultural production in the Rostov region.”
Meanwhile the attacks and the killing in Ukraine go on.
Updated
That’s the end of the public remarks from the meeting between Trump and the European leaders. As they continue talks through the afternoon, we’ll bring you more as we get it.
Updated
The UK’s prime minister Keir Starmer echoes Macron’s sentiments that “we all want peace” and guaranteeing Ukraine’s security guarantees the security of Europe as a whole.
He adds that a trilateral meeting is “the sensible next step”.
Security guarantees and a trilateral meeting with Russia, Ukraine and the US would be a “historic” step forward, he says.
Updated
Macron stresses leaders want peace and echoes need to push for a ceasefire
French president Emmanuel Macron, notably, opens his remarks by saying: “Everybody around this table is in favour of peace”.
Discussions of security guarantees are “about the whole security of the European continent”, he tells Trump.
He reiterates Merz’s comments about asking for a ceasefire “at least to stop the kiilling”, adding “we all support this idea”.
Security guarantees would involve a strong Ukrainian army for “years and decades to come”, and a commitment from all those around the table to build security, he says.
Merz breaks with Trump to push for ceasefire 'from the next meeting'
German chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasises that they would like to see a ceasefire. “To be honest, we all would like to see a ceasefire, the latest from the next meeting on,” he tells Trump.
He adds that he “can’t imagine” the trilateral meeting will take place without one, urging the US president to put pressure on Russia to get one.
Trump says “we’ll see … if we can do that” but, as he did earlier, highlights the “six wars|” he claims to have ended without a ceasefire.
Updated
Invited to address the media, Zelenksyy says he and Trump had a “constructive” meeting, a “very good conversation”.
He reiterates that Ukraine’s security depends on the European countries present and the United States. “This is very important the the US gives such strong signal and is ready for security guarantees,” he says.
Updated
Trump says he would prefer ceasefire, but 'as of this moment, it's not happening'
Trump says he would prefer an immediate to ceasefire in Ukraine while they work on a peace deal, but “as of this moment, it’s not happening”.
Trump reiterates that he wants a trilateral meeting soon.
Trump says Russia will accept security guarantees for Ukraine, but adds 'possible exchanges of territory' to be discussed
Trump says after his summit with Putin he believes that peace is “within reach”.
In a “significant step”, Putin agreed Russia would accept security guarantees for Ukraine, he says.
He says the leaders at this meeting will be considering “who will do what, essentially” regarding Ukraine’s future security.
Trump says he’s optimistic that the group can reach an agreement that will deter future aggression against Ukraine, adding:
I actually think there won’t be. I even think that’s largely overrated.
“I think the European nations are going to take a lot of the burden,” he says, reiterating that the US will be involved. “We’re going to help them.”
The meeting will also discuss the “possible exchanges of territory”, he adds, ominously for Ukraine.
Updated
There is a feed at the top of the blog if you’d like to follow the meeting live.
Trump kicks off multilateral meeting with European leaders
That multilateral meeting has just started between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the European leaders at the White House.
Updated
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump have just posed for a “family photo” with European leaders. Here it is, featuring UK prime minister Keir Starmer, French president Emmanuel Macron, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish president Alexander Stubb, and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, round two - snap analysis
Well, the optics of this initial meeting were far friendlier than the last time these people were all in the Oval Office together, and Zelenskyy and the other European leaders will no doubt be very pleased with how suit-gate was handled, for example – heck, there was even laughing at times.
But despite this lightheartedness, there were some worrying developments for Kyiv. Perhaps most key was Trump’s assertion that he’s decided he doesn’t need a ceasefire after all in order to negotiate a peace deal, after spending months demanding one from Russia and threatening sanctions and “severe consequences” if it didn’t comply. Things have clearly changed after his Alaska summit with Putin, who knows the US president wants peace more than anything and has played this up to his advantage by blaming others for being obstacles to ending the war.
But there were glimmers of hope for Kyiv, notably Trump saying the US would help guarantee Ukraine’s security in a peace deal, giving Ukraine “very good protection”. Kyiv has long said this would essential for achieving a lasting peace. But Trump remained uncommitted on what level of specific security guarantees the US is willing to support, for instance whether its involvement would include an Article 5-style defence commitment and/or American boots on the ground, and also made clear that most of the burden would fall on Europe.
Whether Trump can now be convinced once again by Zelenskyy and the Europeans that the onus is on Russia to end its war, and not on Ukraine to give up territory, in order to achieve peace remains to be seen.
Updated
'We will give them very good protection,' Trump says of Ukraine
Earlier Trump was asked if he would offer Ukraine [Nato] Article 5-style security guarantees. He said this hasn’t been discussed yet but says of Kyiv:
We will give them very good protection, very good security. That’s part of it.
Updated
Trump to call Putin later today
Trump says he just spoke to Putin indirectly, and will speak to him again after these meetings today “and we may or may not have a [trilateral meeting].”
“He’s expecting my call when we’re finished with this meeting,” Trump says.
Updated
Ukraine needs 'everything' in support from US, says Zelenskyy
Asked what security guarantees he needs from Trump, Zelenskyy says: “Everything.”
He says he needs a strong Ukrainian army – weapons, training, equipment, intelligence.
He says he will discuss this with “our partners”, the “big countries including the United States”.
Updated
Going even more off topic, Trump claims mail-in ballots are “corrupt” and he wants to end them. (Putin apparently brought this up in Alaska on Friday, much to Trump’s delight).
Trump goes on a tirade about Joe Biden, adding to an earlier detour where he appeared to justify his federal takeover of Washington DC by highlighting that people felt safe enough to go out to dinner again in the nation’s capital.
Updated
Trump says ceasefire not necessary to negotiate an end to war
Asked if there will still be “severe consequences” for Russia if a ceasefire isn’t agreed, as he previously said, Trump says:
I don’t think you need a ceasefire.
He says a ceasefire is “good to have” but he could understand why one country might not want one.
We can work a peace deal while they’re fighting. They have to fight. I wish they could stop, I’d like them to stop, but strategically that could be a disadvantage for one side or the other.
Here’s the clip.
Updated
Trump says he believes Putin wants Ukraine war to end
Trump also said earlier that he believes Vladimir Putin wants the war to end.
Updated
Asked if he’s open to holding elections in his country, Zelenskyy says of course.
He says it depends on safety and circumstances as they can’t hold elections during the war.
Trump sounds intrigued by the prospect of not being able to hold elections if you’re at war …
Updated
The reporter who last time attacked Zelenskyy over not dressing formally enough says the Ukrainian president looks “fabulous” in his suit, to which Trump says he said the same thing.
The reporter apologises to Zelenskyy, who quips that while he changed his clothes the reporter is wearing the same suit he wore last time: “I changed, you did not.”
Updated
Asked if Melania Trump sent the letter to Putin because he is the aggressor in this war, Trump dodges the question by talking about his wife’s love of children and her wanting to see the war end.
He also claims the letter was “very well received” by Putin.
Updated
Trump claims to have ended six wars and says he thought this would be the easiest one, but it’s a tough one.
Asked if he understands the “root causes” of the war, Trump says the war has to end.
US to 'be involved' in Ukraine's security, says Trump
Asked if future security guarantees for Ukraine could involve US troops, Trump doesn’t rule it out.
“When it comes to security there’s going to be a lot of help … They’re the first line of defence because they’re there, Europe, but we’re going to help them out also, we’ll be involved.”
Updated
Asked if he’s prepared to send US peacekeepers to Ukraine as part of a peace deal, Trump says they’re going to work with Ukraine and Russia to ensure a peace that is long term.
Zelenskyy doesn't say if he's prepared to cede territory to Russia
Asked if he’s prepared to agree to “redraw the maps” (i.e. cede territory to Russia), Zelenskyy highlights Russia’s continued attacks ahead of today’s talks and emphasises the need to stop the war, stop Russia, by way of diplomacy.
Updated
In another nod to his first meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump also declines to say who, Ukraine or Russia, “holds the cards”.
Asked if today’s meeting is the end of the road for American support for Ukraine, Trump says: “I can never say that, it’s never the end of the road. People are being killed and we want to stop that.”
Asked who is expected to end the war, Putin or Zelenskyy, Trump says “if everything works out today we’ll have a [trilateral meeting] … I think we’ll have a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that”.
Zelenskyy thanks Trump for efforts to stop war
Zelenskyy thanks Trump for his efforts to stop the killings and the war, he also thanks Melania Trump for her letter to Putin telling him “it is time” to protect children and future generations around the globe.
Updated
Trump touts 'very substantial progress' in Putin talks
They are speaking from the Oval Office now.
Trump says he believes “very substantial progress” is being made in his talks with Putin, adding: “I think there’s a possibility that something could come out of it.”
Updated
Zelenskyy returns to White House for crucial talks with Trump alongside European allies
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived at the White House for high-stakes talks with Donald Trump and European allies. He was greeted by the US president, both men stopped for pictures before moving swiftly inside.
Zelesnkyy notably appeared to be wearing a suit, hopefully removing at least one previous point of contention.
Updated
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy should arrive any moment now to be greeted by Donald Trump, and to begin what could be the most important diplomatic meetings for him of the last three years.
Here’s how the rest of the day is expected to play out (timings are US eastern time, and already a bit off as things are running late):
1.10pm - Oval Office press spray featuring Trump and Zelenskyy ahead of a bilateral meeting
2.30pm - photo with Trump and European leaders
3pm – Trump, Zelenskyy and European leaders to all meet in the east room
Updated
And as we are waiting for Ukraine’s president Zelenskyy to arrive shortly, let me pass the blog to Lucy Campbell to guide you through the main event.
We need 'joint pressure' on Russia to end war, Zelenskyy says, after 'coordinating positions' with allies ahead of White House talks
Setting his position publicly ahead of the meeting, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy repeated once again for call for allies to apply “joint pressure” on Russia to end the war and “stop the killings.”
In a post on social media published shortly before going into the White House, he said:
“Our main goal is a reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe. And it is important that the momentum of all our meetings lead to precisely this result. We understand that we shouldn’t expect Putin to voluntarily abandon aggression and new attempts at conquest. That is why pressure must work, and it must be joint pressure – from the United States and Europe, and from everyone in the world who respects the right to life and the international order.
We must stop the killings, and I thank our partners who are working toward this and ultimately toward a reliable and dignified peace. Together with the leaders of Finland, the United Kingdom, Italy, the European Commission, and the Nato Secretary General, we coordinated our positions ahead of the meeting with President Trump. Ukraine is ready for a real truce and for establishing a new security architecture. We need peace.”
First European leaders arrive at White House — in pictures
European leaders expected at White House soon
European leaders are expected to start arriving at the White House soon.
But, as per official schedule, US president Trump will meet with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy first in about an hour from now, with the Europeans only joining the talks later.
We have a live stream showing their arrival here:
Updated
14 dead in overnight Russian attacks, authorities say
We have just received the latest update from the Ukrainian authorities on the overnight Russian strikes on the country, with AFP reporting that the total number of killed has gone up to 14.
The early-morning drone attack on Kharkiv reduced part of a five-storey residential building to rubble and sparked fires on at least three floors, governor Oleg Synegubov said on Telegram.
“Seven civilians, including two children, have been killed in the attack,” Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said on social media, adding that 23 people were wounded.
The city near the Russian border was also hit hours earlier by a ballistic missile that wounded at least 11 people, Mayor Igor Terekhov said.
Klymenko said another three people were killed and 23 wounded in a strike on the Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, Russian shelling killed four people in settlements still under Ukrainian control – Dobropillia and Kostiantynivka, regional prosecutors said.
One other thing to keep an eye on is what will Zelenskyy wear to the White House meeting.
You will recall that he faced criticism for not wearing a suit during his last, explosive, visit to the White House in February.
For what it’s worth, Zelenskyy wore a black t-shirt during his earlier meeting with Kellogg (15:20).
Russia's Putin calls leaders of Brazil, India, South Africa ahead of Zelenskyy's DC visit
Russian affairs reporter
Russia’s Vladimir Putin also engaged in a burst of diplomacy on Monday, phoning the leaders of Brazil, India and South Africa to underscore that he is not isolated ahead of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s White House visit.
The Kremlin said Putin briefed the three leaders in separate calls on the outcome of the Russia-US summit in Alaska.
Ahead of Zelenskyy’s meeting with Trump, Putin is seeking to rally support for his sweeping conditions to end the war in Ukraine from states that have either aligned with Moscow or chosen neutrality.
Brazil, India, Russia, South Africa and China form the core of the BRICS economic bloc, which Moscow has relied on heavily since being shut out of western markets after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
As part of the flurry of events tonight, we will also see a Fox News interview with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy at some point.
To give you an idea of what’s ahead, in the last few minutes, Reuters reported, via Fox News, a comment attributed to Zelenskyy, saying it would be for him “impossible to give up territory” to Russia.
Updated
EU27 to get debrief on Trump-Zelenskyy talks tomorrow
European Council president António Costa has just said that there will be a further meeting with 27 EU countries to discuss today’s talks at the White House, taking place tomorrow.
He said:
“I have convened a video conference of the members of the European Council for tomorrow at 13.00 CEST, for a debriefing of today’s meetings in Washington DC about Ukraine.
Together with the US, the EU will continue working towards a lasting peace that safeguards Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.”
First leaders seen in Washington ahead of crunch talks
First European leaders are in Washington now, with UK prime minister Keir Starmer landing not long ago, and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte seen entering the Ukrainian embassy in Washington.
US envoy Keith Kellogg later posted a picture from his meeting with Rutte, alongside US Nato ambassador Matt Whitaker.
Sky News reported that the European Commission’s president Ursula von der Leyen and the Finnish president Alexander Stubb were in the building too, preparing for the White House visit.
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, French president Emmanuel Macron, and German chancellor Friedrich Merz are also expected in Washington today.
Updated
Poland set to miss summit amid conflict between president, government on foreign policy
On the European side of the table, there will be one notable absence as Poland will not have a representative, despite being part of the previous rounds of consultations with Trump, including days before the Alaska summit last week.
Since his election, the country’s new nationalist and Trump-backed president, Karol Nawrocki, has been at loggerheads with the pro-European coalition government led by former European Council president, Donald Tusk, including over who owns the relationship with the US.
Poland’s constitution says somewhat vaguely that:
The President of the Republic shall cooperate with the prime minister and the appropriate minister in respect of foreign policy.
Ahead of last week’s Alaska summit, there had been some confusion as to who would take part in the preparatory calls because the two disagreed over their constitutional roles. Eventually Tusk joined the internal European call and the debrief with the “Coalition of the Willing”, but it was his staunch political rival, Nawrocki, who represented Poland at the main call with Trump.
Ahead of today’s meeting, it was the foreign minister, Radosław Sikorski, who represented Poland at the preparatory call in the “Coalition of the Willing” format over the weekend, further raising some eyebrows.
Still, on Sunday, Nawrocki’s spokesperson appeared to be suggesting that the president was considering joining the European leaders’ trip to the US, and he promised a further update by the end of the day. But no official confirmation came through at all.
The two camps eventually ended up pointing fingers at each other on Monday after it emerged that there would be no Polish representation after all.
Speaking at a ceremony in Warsaw, Nawrocki said he was clear in his conversations with Trump about his mistrust of Vladimir Putin and Russia, but argued that it was the government’s role to participate in this particular format as Tusk has been attending previous summits of the coalition.
He added that he was the only European leader with an upcoming bilateral meeting with Trump at the White House, too – on 3 September – and he would raise these issues then.
But Poland’s foreign minister Sikorski was quick to pick up on this point, saying:
“I inform you that it is the President of the United States who issues invitations to meetings at the White House, with whom Polish representatives of the Maga movement, as well as President @NawrockiKn personally, have privileged relations.
I ask that they make use of these relations for the benefit of Poland and Europe.”
His comments sparked a further reaction from Nawrocki’s foreign policy aide Marcin Przydacz, who said that as Sikorski was part of the pre-meeting call on Sunday, it was up to him to get Poland to join the meeting, with the president sticking to his original plans for next month’s visit instead.
'Russia can only be forced into peace through strength', Zelenskyy says as he bids for Trump's backing
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US envoy Keith Kellogg ahead of what he described as a “very serious” meeting with Trump and other European leaders later today.
“When peace is discussed for one country in Europe, it means peace for all of Europe. We are ready to continue working with maximum effort to end the war and to ensure reliable security. These are the key issues.
Last night, Russian attacks on our cities continued – among those killed were two children, and dozens of people were wounded. People were simply sleeping when the Russian army launched strikes on the cities.
We discussed the battlefield situation and our strong diplomatic capabilities – Ukraine’s and all of Europe’s together with America. Russia can only be forced into peace through strength, and President Trump has that strength. We have to do everything right to make peace happen. Thank you!”
Updated
'I'll get it done, Trump says, as he insists 'I know exactly what I'm doing'
In another post, Trump told his critics “I know exactly what I’m doing,” as he explained that he is there “to stop [the war], not to prosecute it any further.”
He said:
“I know exactly what I’m doing, and I don’t need the advice of people who have been working on all of these conflicts for years, and were never able to do a thing to stop them. They are “STUPID” people, with no common sense, intelligence, or understanding, and they only make the current R/U disaster more difficult to FIX.”
He then insisted:
Despite all of my lightweight and very jealous critics, I’ll get it done — I always do!!!
Updated
Trump rages against 'fake news' saying they wouldn't credit him even if he got Russia to 'surrender' and hand over Moscow, St. Petersburg, and 1000 miles around them
US president Donald Trump has just posted on his Truth Social account ahead of today’s meeting with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy and the group of European leaders.
Here is what he said:
“I am totally convinced that if Russia raised their hands and said, “We give up, we concede, we surrender, we will GIVE Ukraine and the great United States of America, the most revered, respected, and powerful of all countries, EVER, Moscow and St. Petersburg, and everything surrounding them for a thousand miles, the Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners would say that this was a bad and humiliating day for Donald J. Trump, one of the worst days in the history of our Country.”
But that’s why they are the FAKE NEWS, and the badly failing Radical Left Democrats. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!”
Earlier, he said:
“A big day at the White House. We have never had so many European Leaders here at one time. A great honor for America!!! Lets see what the results will be??? President DJT”
Updated
European leaders want to 'flesh out details' of security guarantees for Ukraine
British officials said the leaders planned to use that meeting to flesh out details of the Nato-style guarantees which were promised over the weekend by Steve Witkoff, the president’s Ukraine envoy.
Those briefed on the meetings say however they do not expect a deal to be signed on Monday, describing the flurry of diplomatic activity as a “step towards” eventual peace.
A Downing Street spokesperson said on Monday: “We welcome [the fact] that the US is prepared to give security guarantees. That is going to be an important aspect of the discussions, both today and in the period ahead.
“For the coalition of the willing to be successful in deterring Putin – once we’ve got to a peace – from coming again, the United States’ involvement in providing that deterrence is actually critical.”
The person added: “President Putin has never been serious about peace,” adding that the UK could still back further sanctions on Moscow despite Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, casting doubt that more sanctions would work.
Starmer has been at the forefront of efforts to put together an alliance of countries who are willing to commit troops and other resources to defend Ukraine should Russia try to invade again, but has always said such a plan would require US support to work.
British officials were delighted therefore when Witkoff told CNN over the weekend that the US and Europe could “effectively offer Article 5-like language to cover a security guarantee”, referring to Nato’s principle that an attack on one member is an attack on all.
Starmer and his ministers have lavished praise on Trump since his meeting in Alaska with the Russian president, despite reports that the US president had backed a plan which would allow Russia to seize Ukrainian territory it does not currently occupy.
Downing Street would not comment on territorial disputes on Monday, saying the subject was one for Zelenskyy to decide, but Starmer’s spokesperson did indicate the UK was no longer pushing for an immediate ceasefire while talks continue (14:09).
Ten dead in attacks ahead of Trump-Zelenskyy meeting
We have just had the latest death toll update from the Ukrainian authorities, saying that Russian attacks overnight killed at least 10 people, just hours before presidents Zelenskyy and Trump meet in Washington, Reuters reported.
An entire family including a toddler and her 16-year-old brother were among the seven killed in an overnight drone strike on a residential neighbourhood in northeastern Kharkiv, authorities said. Twenty-three people were wounded, they said.
Three people were also killed in a ballistic missile strike on the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, the regional governor said, adding that another 23 were wounded.
Meloni sees 'glimmer of hope' from Trump-Putin talks, focuses on security guarantees
in Rome
The Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, who has long demonstrated an affinity with the US president, Donald Trump, has arrived in Washington, according to the Italian news agency, Ansa.
Before leaving Rome, Meloni’s office issued a statement referring to the video conference on Sunday with fellow European leaders, during which “the importance of continuing to work with the United States to end the conflict and achieve a peace that ensures the sovereignty and security of Ukraine” was reiterated, while confirming the need to “maintain collective pressure on Russia and ensure solid and credible security guarantees”.
On the security guarantees for Ukraine, Meloni said on Saturday that Trump had highlighted an Italian proposal during his summit with Putin in Anchorage that was “inspired by Nato’s Article 5”.
“The starting point of the proposal is the definition of a collective security clause that would allow Ukraine to benefit from the support of all its partners, including the USA, ready to take action in case it is attacked again,” Meloni added.
Meloni also referred to the Trump-Putin meeting as having “finally” opened up “a glimmer of hope” on discussions of peace in Ukraine.
Meloni last travelled to Washington in April for a bilateral with Trump. The pair met again in Rome just over a week later for the funeral of Pope Francis, before which Trump and the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a brief but symbolic one-to-one talk in St Peter’s Basilica.
Meloni was the only European leader to attend Trump’s inauguration as US president in January, and before that made a flying visit to his Mar-a-Lago golf club.
'We've got to get it right,' Starmer says, as he pushes for 'lasting, fair, just' peace in Ukraine
In a separate social media clip, recorded on the plane en route to Washington, we get to hear directly from the UK prime minister.
Starmer says:
“This war in Ukraine has been going on a really long time now, three plus years.
It’s hugely impacted the Ukrainians who have suffered hugely, but it’s also impacted Europe, it’s impacted every single family and community in the United Kingdom.
And so everybody wants it to end, not least the Ukrainians.
But we’ve got to get this right. We’ve got to make sure there is peace, that it is lasting peace, and that it is fair and that it is just.
And that’s why I’m travelling to Washington with other European leaders to discuss this face to face with President Trump and President Zelenskyy.
Because it’s in everyone’s interests, it’s in the UK’s interests that we get this right.”
UK's Starmer ready to back Ukraine peace deal without ceasefire as precondition
UK prime minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson has been speaking to the media in the last half hour, suggesting that the UK would back a Ukraine peace deal without a ceasefire as a precondition, PA reported.
“We’ve always said we want to see a sustainable and just peace for Ukraine.
One that ensures peace returns to Europe and the Ukrainian people can live without fear of attack again, and an agreement that delivers that as soon as possible, but ends the killing and translates that into a lasting peace supported by security guarantees, would be a significantly positive step.”
Pressed on whether that marked a change of position, Starmer’s spokesperson said:
“We want to see an end to the killing. If you can bring about an end to the killing and bring about a sustained peace in one go, then all the better.”
Ukraine’s borders are for the country to determine itself in negotiations, he added, stressing that “international borders must not be changed by force.”
Germany's Merz finds silver lining in Trump's Alaska summit, but commiting troops continues to divide politicians
in Berlin
Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz, who boarded a dawn flight to Washington on Monday, had found a silver lining for the Europeans out of the Alaska summit, saying on Saturday the United States was ready to be part of security guarantees for Ukraine under a peace deal.
Trump’s pledge, however, was decidedly vague, as European leaders said at least some US boots would need to be on the ground in Ukraine for the guarantee to carry any weight as a deterrent against further Russian aggression.
After Trump advisor Steve Witkoff suggested the security guarantees could be comparable to an Article 5 mutual defence protection within Nato, it begged the question whether the Europeans would commit troops of their own for Ukraine.
At least in Germany, the response appeared muted at best.
German vice-chancellor Lars Klingbeil told ZDF public television he wouldn’t rule anything out but stopped well-short of a full-throated pledge.
“Now it’s about getting a ceasefire and then we can talk about everything else,” said Klingbeil, a Social Democrat.
But for the foreign minister, Johann Wadephul of Merz’s Christian Democrats (CDU), the answer was a flat no, citing the growing presence of German soldiers in Lithuania - Berlin’s first permanent foreign troop deployment since the second world war.
“To do that (station an armoured brigade in Lithuania) and on top of that station troops in Ukraine would probably overtax us,” Wadephul told podcast Table.Today.
German officials attempted to sound bullish ahead of Monday’s meetings in Washington, underlining the united European front.
“Speaking directly with Donald Trump in person will certainly have an impact,” CDU MP Norbert Röttgen, a leading voice on foreign policy, told the German edition of Politico.
We see ourselves as Ukraine’s main supporter. European security is now a European matter – but we want to keep the Americans on board.
Armin Laschet, head of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, saw the glass half full after the Alaska talks, noting that the lack of a deal also meant that no one-sided deal was agreed without Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Regarding any commitment of German troops as part of a security guarantee, Laschet told Berlin’s Inforadio he did not rule it out but remained guarded.
“You can’t answer the question until you know the conditions. Is it in agreement with the United Nations? Is there a UN mandate? Did Russia agree to it?”
'Moscow must hear: stop,' Zelenskyy says, as he warns against rewarding Russia for war
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered his response to overnight Russian strikes on Ukraine saying they were “demonstrative” of Russian intentions and showing its “cynical” position on war.
He said:
“And at this very moment, the Russians are attacking Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, the Sumy region, and Odesa, destroying residential buildings and our civilian infrastructure.
Russians are deliberately killing people, particularly children. As of now, seven people have been killed as a result of the drone strike in Kharkiv, the youngest being a girl who is only a year and a half old, and dozens have been injured, including children.
In Zaporizhzhia, missile strikes injured 20 people and killed three. My condolences go out to all of the victims’ families and loved ones.
There was also a deliberate Russian strike on an energy facility in Odesa owned by an Azerbaijani company, implying that it was an attack not only on us but also on our relations and energy security.”
He also pointed out the obvious context of the attacks:
“They are aware that a meeting is taking place today in Washington that will address the end of the war. We will have a discussion with President Trump about key issues.
Along with Ukraine, the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, the European Union, and Nato will participate in the conversation.
Everyone seeks dignified peace and true security.”
In a stark warning about Russia’s intentions, Zelenskyy also said that “the Russian war machine continues to destroy lives despite everything,” as “Putin will commit demonstrative killings to maintain pressure on Ukraine and Europe, as well as to humiliate diplomatic efforts".”
“That is precisely why we are seeking assistance to put an end to the killings.
That is why reliable security guarantees are required.
That is why Russia should not be rewarded for its participation in this war.
The war must be ended.
And it is Moscow that must hear the word: ‘Stop.’”
Hungary, Ukraine clash over criticism for attack on Russian oil pipeline
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian foreign minister clashed with his Hungarian counterpart on social media this morning after Hungary accused Ukraine of an attack on a Russian oil pipeline.
Earlier this morning, Péter Szijjártó heavily criticised Ukraine for an attack on a Russian pipeline leading to Hungary, calling it “outrageous” and “unacceptable.”
The Hungarian minister said:
“Ukraine has once again attacked the oil pipeline leading to Hungary, cutting off supplies. This latest strike against our energy security is outrageous and unacceptable!
Russian deputy energy minister Pavel Sorokin informed me that experts are working to restore the transformer station essential for operating the pipeline, but for now they cannot say when deliveries will resume.
For 3.5 years Brussels and Kyiv have tried to drag Hungary into the war in Ukraine. These repeated Ukrainian attacks on our energy supply serve that same purpose.
Let me be clear: this is not our war. We have nothing to do with it, and as long as we are in charge, Hungary will stay out of it.
Finally, a reminder to Ukrainian decision-makers: electricity from Hungary plays a vital role in powering your country …”
His comments, including a thinly veiled threat against Ukraine, sparked an immediate reaction from Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, telling him to take his complaints to Moscow.
“Peter, it is Russia, not Ukraine, who began this war and refuses to end it.
Hungary has been told for years that Moscow is an unreliable partner.
Despite this, Hungary has made every effort to maintain its reliance on Russia. Even after the full-scale war began.
You can now send your complaints – and threats – to your friends in Moscow.”
Updated
Seven dead, 20 injured in Russian attack on Kharkiv
Separately, at least seven people were killed and some 20 injured in a separate attack on Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv, agencies reported.
Six children aged 6 to 17 were among 20 other people injured in the attack on Ukraine’s second largest city, Oleh Synehubov, governor of the wider Kharkiv region, wrote on Telegram.
A ballistic missile attack shattered around 1,000 windows in various buildings in the city, Synehubov said. Some residents had to be evacuated from their homes, officials said.
“Russia is a murderous war machine that Ukraine is holding back. And it must be stopped through transatlantic unity and pressure,” Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X after the attack.
17 injured in overnight Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia
The number of people injured in the Russian shelling of Zaporizhzhia has increased to 17, according to the latest update from the Ukrainian army.
Its statement added:
The number of victims is being specified. The blast wave and debris damaged residential buildings and commercial premises, and a bus stop was partially destroyed. The necessary services are working at the scene.
Meanwhile, showing growing concern about how the signals coming from the US are being understood by Russia, Zelenskyy’s top aide, Andriy Yermak, posted a video of a Russian armoured vehicle carrying two flags, of Russia and the US.
“Russian propagandists show a video in which Russian military equipment goes on the assault with the flags of Russia and the US.”
He continued:
“The Russians are using the symbols of the US in their own terrorist war of aggression, marked by the killing of civilians.”
“Utter arrogance,” he added.
Updated
Trump's tone on ending war likely to alarm Europeans ahead of talks — snap analysis
In one of many posts on social media overnight, US president Donald Trump claimed that “president Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to”.
His comments are likely to alarm European leaders as they could signal growing US pressure on Ukraine to accept a deal, however imperfect or outright bad it is, as Trump is determined to secure a diplomatic success after his meeting with Vladimir Putin on Friday.
We all remember what happened during Zelenskyy’s last visit to the White House – even if US state secretary, Marco Rubio, appeared to play down apparent similarities between the two visit in his TV interview over the weekend.
But, even more worringly for Europe, Trump also added:
“Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!”
This position by Trump appears to violate one of the European red lines for Ukraine, saying that Ukraine must not be blocked from deciding about its future.
On Saturday, European leaders adopted a statement saying:
“No limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine’s pathway to EU and Nato.
It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force.”
It’s hard to reconcile the two positions – and there will be some concern that by meeting Zelenskyy first, without the Europeans, Trump could seek to pursue this line even further before he sees a concerted push back from European partners.
One to watch.
Updated
Ceasefire, security guarantees to be discussed at White House, Finnish PM says
In the last few minutes, Finland’s prime minister Petteri Orpo said that a ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine are the most important topics at the meeting of US president Donald Trump, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.
Finnish president, Alexander Stubb, will be among those in attendance.
It’s Jakub Krupa here, taking over to guide you through the day as we build up to the main event in Washington this evening.
Good morning.
Asked behind the scenes at June’s G7 summit if he could explain why Donald Trump seemed to like him so much, Keir Starmer admitted he did not really know.
But whatever the reason, when it comes to Ukraine, the UK prime minister is once again hoping to exploit this somewhat curious relationship, Peter Walker writes in this analysis.
It continues:
As soon as it was announced that a string of European leaders planned to join Volodymyr Zelenskyy to back the Ukrainian president in crucial talks with Trump at the White House on Monday, it was obvious Starmer would be joining them.
The idea of Britain being some sort of bridge between US and European interests is something of a longstanding UK diplomatic cliche, and not one that always necessarily carries much meaning.
But in the case of Ukraine, Starmer has very deliberately sought to position himself as a leader who can get along with Trump while consistently stressing to him Europe’s red lines over any peace plan, and trying to sweet-talk the president into offering US security guarantees.
You can read the full analysis here:
A Ukrainian drone intercepted by Russia near the Smolensk nuclear power plant detonated after falling but did not cause significant damage to the plant, Russia’s nuclear power corporation Rosatom said on Monday.
“The damage is insignificant, there are no casualties,” Rosatom said.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Sunday it had prevented a Ukrainian drone attack on the Smolensk nuclear power plant, Reuters reports.
A Russian drone attack on a five-storey apartment block in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv early Monday killed five people and wounded more than a dozen others, Ukrainian authorities said.
The attack, which took place just before dawn, reduced part of the building to rubble and sparked fires on at least three floors, the region’s governor Oleg Synegubov said on Telegram.
Russia fired four drones at the building, he said.
Ukraine’s state emergency service posted videos showing rescuers attempting to break through the rubble to reach a trapped resident, while another showed a floor in flames, AFP reports.
“Five people were killed, including a girl aged about one-and-a-half years old,” Ukraine’s prosecution service said.
“At least 18 people were wounded and suffered acute shock, including children.”
The city near the Russian border was also hit hours earlier by a ballistic missile that wounded at least 11 people, Mayor Igor Terekhov said.
Russia also struck the southern Odesa region with drones early Monday, sparking a fire at a fuel facility, regional governor Oleg Kiper said.
Ukraine’s air force said on Monday that Russia had launched four missiles and 140 drones during an overnight attack on Ukraine, Reuters reports.
The air force downed 88 drones and recorded hits in 25 locations across six Ukrainian regions, according to the statement posted on the Telegram messaging app.
Here are some images coming to us over the wires.
Ukraine’s foreign minister says Russia continues to kill civilians despite peace efforts ahead of the US and Ukrainian presidential summit.
“Russia is a murderous war machine that Ukraine is holding back. And it must be stopped through transatlantic unity and pressure,” Andrii Sybiha wrote on X on Monday after a Russian attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city.
Sybiha also posted a photo of the smoking damage to a building, saying:
This is a residential building in Kharkiv. This night Russia killed at least four people here, including a child, and injured many more … Moscow must stop the killing in order to advance diplomacy.
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy will make his second visit to the White House on Monday with the daunting task of reversing the damage done to Ukraine’s security prospects by Friday’s Trump-Putin summit in Alaska.
But as Julian Borger writes in this analysis, the Ukrainian president will not be alone as he was on his first trip to the White House in February, when he was ambushed and humiliated by Donald Trump and vice-president JD Vance, who sought to bully him into capitulation to Moscow’s demands.
This time the Ukrainian leader comes to Washington flanked by a dream team of European leaders, including Britain’s Keir Starmer, Germany’s Friedrich Merz and France’s Emmanuel Macron, who combine economic and military clout with proven rapport with Trump.
Their mission will be to use their individual and combined influence to coax the president out of the pro-Russian positions he adopted after just a couple of hours under Putin’s sway in the sub-Arctic on Friday.
The full analysis is here:
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Germany’s foreign minister has called for stepped-up pressure on Russia, including more aid for Ukraine, to push Moscow into concessions toward a “just and lasting peace”.
Johann Wadephul was speaking in Tokyo ahead of the summit between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders including German chancellor Friedrich Merz.
“It is probably not an exaggeration to say the whole world is looking to Washington,” Reuters quotes Wadephul as saying at a press briefing on Monday alongside Japan’s foreign minister.
“Firm security guarantees are central” because “Ukraine must be able to defend itself effectively even after a ceasefire and peace agreement”, he added.
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The White House has released the timings for the day’s events in Washington DC.
Donald Trump is to hold a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy at 1.15pm (5.15pm GMT) on Monday at the White House.
Trump will then participate in a multilateral meeting with European leaders visiting Washington at 3pm (7pm GMT).
Here are some of the scenes in Washington DC amid the security operation for the crucial leaders’ summit.
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In saying “peace must be lasting”, Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said on X that must be “not like it was years ago, when Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea and part of our East –part of Donbas – and Putin simply used it as a springboard for a new attack”.
“Or when Ukraine was given so called ‘security guarantees’ in 1994, but they didn’t work,” the Ukrainian president said.
Now, our soldiers have successes in Donetsk and Sumy regions. I am confident that we will defend Ukraine, effectively guarantee security, and that our people will always be grateful to President Trump, everyone in America, and every partner and ally for their support and invaluable assistance.
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Opening summary
Welcome to our live coverage of the war in Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared “Russia must end this war” as he arrived in Washington DC ahead of crucial talks with Donald Trump over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A host of European leaders will join Zelenskyy on Monday for the summit as they seek to provide a counterpoint to Vladimir Putin’s arguments following his talks with the US president on Friday.
The leaders – British prime minister Keir Starmer, French president Emmanuel Macron, German chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and Finnish president Alexander Stubb – cleared their diaries to fly to the US at short notice, which is seen as a measure of how alarmed they were by Friday’s Trump-Putin summit in Anchorage.
After the Alaska talks Trump reportedly endorsed the Kremlin’s plan to end the war in Ukraine, including Kyiv giving up territory that Russia has been unable to seize and no ceasefire until a final deal has been agreed.
Zelenskyy said in a post on X after arriving in Washington DC late on Sunday that he was grateful to Trump for the invitation and “we all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably”. He also said that “peace must be lasting”.
“Russia must end this war, which it itself started,” Zelenskyy said. “And I hope that our joint strength with America, with our European friends, will force Russia into a real peace.”
Here are some of the latest developments:
Zelenskyy met European leaders in Brussels earlier on Sunday and reiterated Ukraine’s stance on land swaps, saying on X: “Ukraine’s constitution makes it impossible to give up or trade land. Since the territorial issue is so important, it should be discussed only by the leaders of Ukraine and Russia at the trilateral – Ukraine, the US, Russia. So far, Russia gives no sign this will happen, and if Russia refuses, new sanctions must follow.”
Ahead of Monday’s peace talks in the US, Emmanuel Macron said that in order to have a “lasting peace deal for Ukraine, Ukraine needs a strong army”. He added that European allies want “Ukraine’s territorial integrity to be respected” and that “Ukraine must be represented in any talks on Ukraine’s future”. The French president also said that “our goal for tomorrow’s talks is to present a united front between Ukraine and its European allies”. The Washington talks will also be attended by the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and Nato’s secretary general, Mark Rutte.
Zelenskyy has hailed the decision to offer security guarantees to Ukraine as part of a peace deal as he prepared to meet Trump. “Security guarantees, as a result of our joint work, must really be very practical, delivering protection on land, in the air and at sea, and must be developed with Europe’s participation,” the Ukrainian president said.
In announcing his visit to Washington, Keir Starmer praised Trump for his “efforts to end Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine”. At the same time, the British PM reasserted Europe’s red lines, saying the “path to peace” could not be decided without Zelenskyy and that Russia should be “squeezed” with further sanctions. Starmer has deliberately sought to position himself as a leader who can get along with Trump while consistently stressing the red lines over any peace plan.
The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said Russia and Ukraine were both “going to have to make concessions” for there to be a peaceful resolution to the war. In interviews on Sunday Rubio said the talks in Alaska had “made progress in the sense that we identified potential areas of agreement – but there remains some big areas of disagreement”. “We’re still a long ways off,” Rubio added. “We’re not at the precipice of a peace agreement. We’re not at the edge of one. But I do think progress was made and towards one.” He declined to go into specific areas of agreement or disagreement.
Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Steve Witkoff, said Putin had agreed that the US and European allies could offer Ukraine a Nato-style, “Article 5-like” security guarantee as part of an eventual deal to end the war. Witkoff added that Russia had agreed to unspecified concessions on five Ukrainian regions central to the war, particularly the eastern Donetsk province. “We agreed to robust security guarantees that I would describe as gamechanging,” he said.
Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s envoy to international organisations in Vienna, said early on Monday that Russia agreed that any future peace agreement must provide security guarantees to Kyiv, but added that Russia “has equal right to expect that Moscow will also get efficient security guarantees”.
European Union council president Antonio Costa said he “welcomed the United States’ willingness to participate in providing security guarantees to Ukraine”. He also said: “Transatlantic unity is paramount at this moment to achieve a sustainable peace in Ukraine.”
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