President Donald J. Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House on Tuesday for high-stakes talks aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, signaling that a trilateral dialogue including Moscow could soon be possible.
The discussions began with a one-on-one meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy, followed by a broader session with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also took part.
Trump said the meetings could pave the way for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, building on the Aug. 15 summit the two leaders held in Alaska.
“I think if everything works out well today, we’ll have a trilat and I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that,” Trump told reporters. “The people of Ukraine have suffered incredibly.”
The president said Putin signaled in Alaska that Moscow could accept security guarantees for Ukraine, a key factor in potential negotiations. Trump added that European allies are prepared to shoulder much of the responsibility for deterring future aggression.
“I actually think there won’t be [future aggression],” Trump said. “But we’re going to find out, and I think that the European nations are going to take a lot of the burden. We’re going to help them, and we’re going to make it very secure.”
Trump also acknowledged that compromises would be part of any peace deal, including discussions over territorial control along current battle lines.
“We need to discuss the possible exchanges of territory … to look at them and negotiating positions,” he said.
A top priority, Trump emphasized, is ensuring a lasting settlement.
“We’re not talking about a two-year peace, and then we end up in this mess again,” he said. “We’re going to make sure that if there’s peace, the peace is going to stay long term.”
President Donald J. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walk through the White House in advance of a meeting, Aug. 18, 2025. © White House
European leaders expressed interest in creating a security pact for Ukraine, with U.S. involvement. Trump said he spoke with Putin before Tuesday’s talks and plans to call him again afterward.
“If we don’t have a trilat, then the fighting continues,” Trump said. “And if we do, we have a good chance … of maybe ending [the war].”
The president said while he cannot predict the timeline for peace, momentum is building on both sides.
“The war is going to end,” Trump said. “This gentleman [Zelenskyy] wants it to end, and Vladimir Putin wants it to end. I think the whole world is tired of it.”
Ultimately, Trump said, the decision rests with Kyiv and Moscow.
“Ultimately, this is a decision that can only be made by President Zelenskyy and by the people of Ukraine working also together and in agreement with President Putin,” he said.
