Donald Trump welcomed European leaders and Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House – The Trump-Zelensky meeting is underway – Trump's joint discussions with European leaders will follow, with the Ukrainian president also present.20:11

Live image from the entrance of the White House

Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived.

20:10

Symbolism before the Trump-Zelensky meeting

Shortly before the arrival of Ukrainian President Zelensky, soldiers holding American flags lined up along the entrance to the White House.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin was welcomed with a red carpet and a military aircraft squadron at Elmendorf-Richardson Air Force Base in Anchorage, during his meeting with Donald Trump.

Washington Post

20:08

New critical test for Zelensky in the White House

In the crowded garden outside the West Wing of the White House, Volodymyr Zelensky's arrival is expected to be another high-profile and high-pressure moment, with the very future of Ukraine at stake. As the BBC reported, when the Ukrainian president arrives, the US press pool, along with Ukrainian colleagues, will be allowed in for the start of his meeting with Trump in the Oval Office.

20:04

The Oval Office shortly before the Trump-Zelensky meeting

19:58

Zelensky in a suit this time, after the February criticisms

In the video posted by the Ukrainian embassy, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ditched his traditional military attire and appeared in a black jacket, black shirt, and black pants.

19:53

Zelensky is arriving at the White House any minute now

The Ukrainian flag was placed at the entrance along with the American one - that's where President Trump is expected to greet him.

19:51

Close associates of Zelensky enter the White House

Volodymyr Zelensky's deputy chief of staff, Serhiy Palisa, was seen holding a rolled-up sheet of paper on the way to the White House — likely a map. He was accompanied by the head of the presidential administration, Andriy Yermak, and former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

BBC

19:48

Zelensky's reception of European leaders

The Ukrainian president welcomed the European leaders to the Ukrainian embassy in Washington, where they had a preparatory meeting.

Zelensky, by the way, is wearing a black suit and black shirt, but no tie.

19:32

Zelensky: Ukraine ready for a real ceasefire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that our main goal is a reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and for all of Europe, and stressed that we should not expect Putin to voluntarily abandon aggression and new attempts at conquest.

The pressure must work and it must be joint – from the United States and Europe, and from everyone in the world who respects the right to life and the international order, Zelensky noted, adding: We must stop the killings and I thank our partners who are working for this and ultimately for a credible and dignified peace.

He also referred to the coordinated positions he discussed with the leaders of Finland, the United Kingdom, Italy, the European Commission and the NATO Secretary General, ahead of his meeting with President Trump. Ukraine is ready for a real ceasefire and for the establishment of a new security architecture. We need peace, he concluded.

19:24

Warning sirens sound in Kyiv and many other cities in Ukraine

As European leaders arrive at the White House, sirens are sounding in the Ukrainian capital and a number of Ukrainian cities warning of a missile attack.

19:15

Mark Rutte and Ursula von der Leyen at the White House

The NATO Secretary General is the first guest to arrive at the White House.

The President of the European Commission followed.

19:13

Senate leader will give Trump whatever economic leverage he needs to keep Russia at the table

Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune has vowed to provide Trump with whatever economic leverage he needs against Russia, as Zelensky and European leaders prepare to meet at the White House.

In a post on X, Thune wrote that Trump should be commended for his dogged determination to bring peace to Ukraine and for his courage to talk to all sides. He added that as peace talks continue today in Washington, the US Senate is ready to give President Trump whatever financial leverage he needs to keep Russia at the table and negotiate a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

It is noted that Thune had left open the possibility of submitting a bipartisan bill to the House of Representatives for sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil and gas before the summer recess of Congress.

19:10

Protesters outside the White House

Protesters with banners near the White House, shortly before Trump's expected meetings with Zelensky and European leaders, as part of negotiations to end the Russian war in Ukraine.

19:06

European leaders are expected at the White House soon

European leaders are expected to begin arriving at the White House soon.

However, according to the official schedule, US President Donald Trump will first meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in about an hour from now, with the Europeans joining the talks later.

Live image from their reception

19:02

Meloni: Cracks are opening for dialogue on Ukraine

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in Washington that after three and a half years, during which Russia demanded nothing less than Ukraine's surrender, cracks in dialogue are finally opening. These cracks, she stressed, are created in part by the stalemate in the war, which has been helped by the united support the West has offered Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion.

The unity of the West, from my point of view, is also the tool with which we can build peace and ensure justice, he underlined, adding that Italy has stood by Ukraine from the very beginning. I believe that we must explore all possible solutions to guarantee peace, justice and security for our nations, he said.

18:56

White House meeting schedule

European leaders are expected at the White House at 7:00 PM (Greece time), where they will sit down to lunch.

Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to arrive an hour later and will have a private meeting with Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

Afterwards, the American president will chair a multilateral meeting with European leaders, with the main objective of ending the war in Ukraine.

His interlocutors are expected to press him for more details about the meeting he had on Friday with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Some European leaders plan to make statements after the meeting.

• 19:00: Arrival of European leaders at the White House and lunch.
• 20:00: Arrival of Volodymyr Zelensky.
• 20:15: Private meeting between Zelensky and Trump in the Oval Office.
• Evening: Multilateral meeting between Trump and European leaders to end the war in Ukraine.
• Late evening: Statements by European leaders, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz having already announced a position.

18:54

14 dead in Russian attacks in Kharkiv, Zaporizhia and Donetsk

The death toll from overnight Russian attacks in Ukraine has risen to 14, according to Ukrainian authorities.

• In Kharkov, a morning drone strike destroyed part of a five-story apartment building and set three floors on fire. Governor Oleg Sinegubov said seven civilians, including two children, were killed and 23 injured. A few hours earlier, a ballistic missile had hit the city, injuring at least 11 people, according to Mayor Igor Terekhov.
• In Zaporizhia, three more people were killed and 23 injured by Russian airstrikes, Interior Minister Igor Klimenko said.
• In the Donetsk region, four civilians were killed by Russian shelling in territory still under Ukrainian control, in the towns of Dobropilya and Konstantinivka, according to local prosecutors

18:47

Umerov: The Crimean Tatar who accompanies Zelensky to the White House

One of the officials accompanying Zelensky to the meeting with Trump at the White House is Rustem Umerov, former Defense Minister and current head of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

Umerov is a Crimean Tatar, a member of the indigenous population of the region annexed by Russia in 2014. Like almost all Crimean Tatars, his ancestors were deported by Stalin to Central Asia in 1944. He was born in Uzbekistan, and his family returned to Crimea after Ukraine's independence in 1991.

He emerged as a leading figure in the Crimean Tatar community. After the annexation, the Crimean Tatars largely maintained a pro-Ukrainian stance, which led to them being targeted by the Russian occupying forces, with many being arrested.

BBC

18:36

CNN: Trump rewards Putin despite ceasefire failure

Trump is accused of rewarding rather than punishing Putin, who failed to meet the deadline set by the US president himself for a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine, according to expert analyst Nigel Gould-Davies.

Speaking to CNN, Gould-Davis, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said:"It's deeply troubling what's happened in the last two weeks. As he pointed out, Trump rewarded Putin with the Alaska summit, even though the Russian president ignored his deadline for a ceasefire or sanctions."

• Since the summit, the US president has completely abandoned his demand for an immediate ceasefire and the threat of sanctions and increasingly adopts Putin’s view that the war can only end with a comprehensive settlement. Such a settlement, he explained, would address the roots of the conflict, namely the questioning of Ukraine’s very statehood and identity.
• Referring to US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who claimed that in Alaska Putin agreed to allow the US to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, Gould-Davis made a highly unusual statement. He is essentially saying that America needs Russia’s permission and approval to decide to whom it will provide security guarantees. It's a surprisingly weak and vulnerable position for Wittkoff, he commented, adding that he is in effect asking Putin's permission to do things that America should have the right to do on its own, if it chooses.

18:33

Who will accompany Trump and Zelensky to the White House meeting?

The White House has confirmed that five US officials will participate in President Donald Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office today.

• At Trump's side will be Vice President J. D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and special envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg.
• Zelensky will be accompanied by his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and former Defense Minister and current head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov.

18:22

Russian media publishes video of armored vehicle with Russian and American flags

Russian state television broadcast footage purporting to show an armored vehicle flying both Russian and American flags, presenting it as a captured American vehicle now being used by Russian forces.

According to Russian network RT, the vehicle was recovered by the Ukrainian army, repaired and revived to return to combat missions. The video shows it moving on a country road near Zaporizhia, with music playing in the background, with both flags waving.

NBC News, which reported the information, stressed that it could not independently confirm the authenticity of the footage.

18:20

Pence: Trump must immediately impose new sanctions on Russia

Former US Vice President Mike Pence called on Trump to act without delay against Russia, imposing tougher sanctions alongside negotiations.

Speaking to CNN, Pence stressed that Trump often follows a velvet tactic against dictators, but now the hammer needs to fall, and it needs to fall quickly.

He also asked Trump to contact Senate Republican Leader John Thune to move forward with the secondary sanctions bill, which has broad support.

The combination of engaging in talks and at the same time sending a clear warning to Putin that we are prepared to take measures that could literally crush his economy, while at the same time strengthening our commitment to Ukraine's security, Pence noted.

While acknowledging Trump's pursuit of a peaceful solution, he warned against delay:"We cannot let Vladimir run out of time on the war. Sanctions must be on the president's desk now."

18:18

Zelensky – Stubb meeting

Finnish President Alexander Stubb met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington on Wednesday. The meeting was described as preparatory to Zelensky's talks with Trump at the White House. Stubb was seen arriving at the Ukrainian embassy a short time ago.

18:16

Zelenskyy's interview with Fox News after meeting with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will grant an exclusive interview to Fox News journalist Brett Baier on Monday night after meeting with Donald Trump at the White House.

18:13

About a fifth of Ukraine is under Russian occupation.

Russian forces maintain control of about 20% of Ukrainian territory. The areas under occupation include parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, as well as Crimea, which was annexed in 2014.

18:08

EU summit via videoconference on Ukraine after talks in Washington

The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, announced that a video conference of EU leaders will be held on Tuesday to discuss developments since Monday's meeting in Washington on Ukraine.

As he stressed, together with the United States, the EU will continue to work for a lasting peace that will ensure the vital security interests of Ukraine and Europe.

18:02

European leaders at the Ukrainian embassy

European leaders are gradually gathering at Georgetown in Washington, where the Ukrainian embassy in the US is located, ahead of their meeting with Trump. Zelensky has been there since early.

17:58

Axios: Trump's three-pronged plan for Russia-Ukraine peace talks

According to a report by Axios, President Trump has outlined a three-pronged strategy to advance negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, with the main goal of the two leaders meeting face-to-face.

A Trump aide said that everything else is prelude and that the only short-term goal is for the two sides to sit at the same table. The abandonment of the call for an immediate ceasefire in Alaska on Friday drew criticism, but the White House argues that Monday's crucial meeting with Zelensky in Washington shows progress.

The Trump administration describes the plan as follows:

• First, a bilateral meeting between the US and Russia to agree on steps towards peace.
• Corresponding US-Ukraine meeting.
• Trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin and Zelensky with possible participation of other allies.

The Alaska summit focused on Putin's demands for the five disputed Ukrainian regions, with a particular focus on Donetsk. According to an Axios source, the Russian president demanded all of the territory in the region, with Trump threatening to walk away from the talks if there was no concession. Ultimately, Putin appeared willing to tone down his demands.

• American officials Steve Witkoff and Marco Rubio, who briefed the media after the summit, stressed that Washington was not negotiating the border on behalf of Kiev, but that Trump was defending Ukrainian interests. They also noted that, for the first time, Putin agreed to discuss security guarantees from the US and Europe to stop further Russian aggression.

The war is getting worse and only Trump can achieve meetings with the leaders of both Ukraine and Russia, Rubio said, adding that 20,000 Russian soldiers were killed in July, an indication of the cost Moscow is willing to pay in a meat-grinding war.

17:54

Putin in successive telephone contacts with foreign leaders

Russian President Vladimir Putin has had a series of telephone calls with foreign leaders to update them on the talks on Ukraine and what was discussed in Alaska, the Kremlin announced.

According to the Russian presidency, Putin spoke with the leaders of India, Brazil, South Africa, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The talks focused on developments surrounding the military conflict and the Russian-American meeting in Alaska with Trump.

No further details were given about the content of the telephone calls.

17:43

Ukrainian Foreign Minister: Position on territories unwavering

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibikha made it clear from Washington that Kiev's position remains unchanged: no Ukrainian territory will be ceded to Russia as part of any agreement.

Responding to a question about Trump's post on Truth Social, in which the American president wrote that Ukraine is not going to take Crimea back, he emphasized: The Ukrainian president went [to Washington], as always, with the clear and strong position that he has coordinated with all allies: Crimea is Ukraine.

He described the White House talks as a defining moment that could bring a just peace closer through diplomacy. He emphasized the importance of establishing clearer parameters for future security guarantees, and he also spoke about the prospects for a trilateral meeting between Zelensky, Putin and Trump, with the possible participation of other leaders.

Referring to another request from Moscow, he stressed that for Ukraine, any restrictions on our army and our defense capabilities are unacceptable.

17:36

European leaders rush to the White House

Seven European leaders rushed to Washington on Monday for an emergency meeting at the White House between Trump and Zelensky. A senior European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, described a climate of panic in European capitals, stressing that such rapid coordination had not been seen since the period before the Iraq war.

The meeting is attended by:

• Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany : Trump had given him a warm welcome in Washington in June, although the German leader failed to persuade him to take a tougher stance on Russia. Germany has pledged to increase its defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2026.
• President Emmanuel Macron of France : Despite displays of friendship, Paris-Washington relations have been volatile over Ukraine. In 2017, Trump attended Bastille Day celebrations in Paris.
• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer : Although politically opposed to the MAGA movement, he has emerged as a key interlocutor for Trump. During his visit to the White House in February, he delivered a letter from King Charles inviting him for a second official visit.
• Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy : He shares common positions with Trump on issues such as immigration and opposition to policies that are considered woke.
• President Alexander Stump of Finland : He has emerged as a strong voice of support for Ukraine and last March played golf with Trump in Florida.
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte : Despite Trump's skepticism towards the Alliance, he has developed a personal relationship with it.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen : Although Trump traditionally prefers to talk to national leaders rather than EU institutions, he has now developed a direct channel with it, which also led to a trade agreement. He has described it as fantastic.

Source: NYT

17:25

What we know about the Russian attacks on Kharkiv, Zaporizhia and Odessa

Russian strikes hit three major Ukrainian cities on Sunday, with the heaviest toll in Kharkiv, where seven people were killed, including a girl under two years old, Ukrainian authorities said. Three civilians were killed in Zaporizhia, while no casualties were reported in Odessa.

• Kharkiv : Confirmed images from the eastern Aubrey neighborhood show extensive damage to an apartment building, with fire on the top floors. In one photo, a firefighter is seen holding a small child, possibly the girl among the dead; her face has been deliberately blurred. Eyewitness video claimed the building was hit six times.
• Zaporizhia : Video from Zaporizhia shows shops on the corner of a central avenue and a residential street on fire, with other shops a few meters away reduced to rubble. The footage was posted online around 10:00 local time, while the weather conditions – clear skies – confirm the timing.
• Odessa : In Odessa, the regional governor announced that the target of the attack was a Socar oil facility. Among the many videos released from the major fire, only one provided a clear location identification: it showed a building with a distinctive pylon next to a silo with the Socar logo. Its location was identified with NASA satellite thermal data.

Source: BBC

17:16

Trump: I'm only here to stop the war, not to continue it

The American president wrote that his role is solely to end the conflict and not to prolong it: I am only here to stop the war, not to advance it further. In a second post, he added: I know exactly what I am doing, attempting to respond to criticism he receives for his tactics towards Moscow and Kiev.

Trump's posts

I have settled 6 wars in 6 months, one of them with the potential for nuclear destruction, and yet I have to read and listen to the Wall Street Journal and many others who really have no idea, telling me everything I am “wrong” about the Russia/Ukraine mess – which is “Sleepy” Joe Biden’s war, not mine. I am only here to stop it, not to continue it. It would NEVER have happened if I were president. I know exactly what I am doing, and I do not need the advice of people who have been involved in all these conflicts for years without ever being able to stop anything. They are “STUPID”, without common sense, intelligence or understanding, and they are making the current Russia/Ukraine mess even harder to FIX. Despite all my petty and very jealous critics, I will make it — as always!!! President Donald J. Trump

I am absolutely convinced that if Russia were to throw up its hands and say, “We surrender, we retreat, we capitulate, we will GIVE to Ukraine and the great United States of America – the country that is the most respected, honorable and powerful of all, EVER – Moscow and St. Petersburg and everything that surrounds them within a thousand miles,” the Fake News Media and their Democratic collaborators would say that this was a bad and humiliating day for Donald Trump, one of the worst days in the history of our country. But that is what FAKE NEWS and the failed Radicals of the Left are for. Thank you for your attention to this issue!!!

17:11

Zelensky: Russia can only be forced into peace through force

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, after his meeting with Keith Kellogg, stressed that Kiev is ready to work productively and responsibly for peace. At the same time, he warned that Russia can only be forced into peace through force.

Zelensky, in a post after the meeting, thanked for the cooperation and emphasized the importance of the Trump initiative, which brought together Ukraine and European countries in Washington in a new, very serious format.

When we talk about peace for someone in Europe, we talk about everyone in Europe, he wrote, emphasizing that Kiev is ready to continue working to the fullest extent possible to end the war and provide reliable security guarantees.

He also referred to last night's Russian attack on Ukrainian cities, which killed two children and injured dozens. People were sleeping when the Russian army hit the cities, he noted.

According to him, the meeting with Kellogg discussed the situation on the front and Ukraine's diplomatic capabilities with Europe and America.

"You can only force Russia to peace through force, and President Trump has that force. We have to do everything right so that peace is real," he concluded.

17:04

Putin's telephone conversation with Modi

Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which he informed him of the results of the summit he had last week in Alaska with US President Donald Trump, according to a Kremlin statement.

The two leaders discussed the prospects for a long-term settlement of the crisis in Ukraine and agreed to continue dialogue on this issue as well as other international issues, the statement said.

Putin also expressed his condolences to Modi over the recent deadly floods in India.

17:03

BBC: Chaotic atmosphere at the White House ahead of Zelensky and European arrivals

According to the BBC's Bird Debushman, the atmosphere outside the White House is already tense and chaotic, with photographers setting up ladders and tripods to secure images of the arrival of Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders. On the opposite side, TV crews and reporters have taken up every available space.

The live feeds of several television networks were repeatedly interrupted by the sound of a lawnmower running in the White House garden.

Trump had not yet appeared, as – as noted – if he were there, there would be a Marine guard outside the office.

Source: BBC

16:59

Ukrainian strike on Russian oil pumping station in Tambov region

The Ukrainian military announced that it had struck an oil pumping station in the Russian Tambov region, causing a suspension of flow through the Druzhba pipeline, one of the main pipelines transporting Russian oil to Europe.

No further details have been given on the extent of the damage or the duration of the outage.

16:52

Trump: Ukraine will not regain Crimea, nor will it join NATO

Trump sent messages addressed to Zelensky, as well as to the European leaders accompanying him in Washington today, a few hours before the crucial meetings in the American capital regarding the war in Ukraine.

Trump said Zelensky could end the war with Russia almost immediately, while ruling out the possibility of Ukraine regaining control of the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, or joining NATO.

President Zelensky of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately if he wants, or he can continue the war. Remember how it started. There is no way to get back Crimea given by Obama (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!) and get Ukraine into NATO. Some things never change, Trump discounted via Truth Social.

16:48

Ben Wallace: Security guarantees must ensure a just peace

The former British Defense Minister Ben Wallace warned in a post on X that the security guarantees proposed for Ukraine should not be an end in itself, but should be guarantees that protect a “just” peace, acceptable to Ukraine as well.

In a series of posts, he notes:

1. The military reality for Russia

• Wallace points out that many military leaders in NATO, the UK and the US estimate that if Russia tries to take by force all four Ukrainian regions it claims, it will take another 2 million Russian soldiers and 4 more years of conflict. Without Trump, he notes, Putin does not hold all the cards.

2. Security guarantees should not be an end in themselves

• He points out that guarantees should protect a just peace that is acceptable to Ukraine, not serve Russia's terms. If they lack real content, they risk proving empty and Western guarantors finding themselves humiliated and powerless in the face of a new Russian attack.

3. Risk of border trap

• Wallace warns that the West could find itself guarding borders that serve Russia's strategic interests, with tens of thousands of Western soldiers exposed to the Kremlin while Moscow continues to arm itself. He speaks of the possibility of creating a new, non-aligned line of confrontation.

4. Balkans

• He compares the situation to the UN presence in the Balkans during the wars of the 1990s, where the international community found itself humiliated and unable to prevent new conflicts. He recalls that in 2014–2022 Russia killed 14,000 Ukrainians in eastern Ukraine, which shows that Putin does not hesitate to proceed with protracted conflicts.

5. The myths surrounding war

• He rejects two main narratives: That the war was provoked by NATO. According to Wallace, Russia had long planned it, and that Putin invaded Ukraine because of US or Western weakness. Instead, he insists that it was a premeditated war that Putin had been planning for a long time.

6. The contribution of the US and Europe

• He points out that the US has spent more than any other country to support Ukraine, but Europe as a whole has given more if all member states are included. He thus responds to arguments about an allegedly unequal burden.

7. Putin's red lines

• He emphasizes that Putin's red lines have always been the same: to hold on to power and maintain control at home. The policy of appeasement – as with Hitler in the 1930s – has never deterred Russian aggression.

8. The danger of a new Munich

• He closes with a sharp observation: if today's leaders follow a policy of concessions, they could go down in history like the leaders of Munich in 1938. He emphasizes that weakness in the face of Putin will whet the appetite for further conflicts.

16:46

What happened in Alaska on Friday

Trump welcomed Putin with honors near Anchorage, Alaska, rolling out a red carpet, smilingly chatting with him inside the presidential limousine and posing for photos while American military aircraft flew overhead.

Key points of the meeting:

• Trump did not secure any commitment from Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
• He argued that the responsibility for resolving the conflict now lies with Kiev and its European allies.
• He backed down from plans to impose economic sanctions if Russia did not accept a ceasefire.
• Putin said he hopes to begin the restoration of relations between Russia and the United States.

Source: FT

16:45

European leaders want to unveil details of security guarantees for Ukraine

According to British officials, European leaders plan to use today's meeting with Trump and Zelensky to further flesh out the NATO-style security guarantees promised by Steve Witkoff, the US president's special envoy for Ukraine.

Those informed about the talks do not expect an agreement to be reached today, characterizing the contacts step towards a future peace settlement.

A Downing Street spokesman said :

• We welcome the fact that the US is ready to provide security guarantees. This will be a critical element both in today's discussions and in the way forward.
• For the alliance of those willing to deter Putin to be successful – once we reach peace – the participation of the United States is absolutely crucial.
• Putin has never been serious about peace.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has led efforts to form an alliance of countries willing to commit troops and resources to Ukraine's defense in the event of a new Russian invasion, has made it clear that such an initiative can only work with US support.

The British side viewed positively Witkoff's statement on CNN that the US and Europe could offer a formulation similar to NATO's Article 5 on security guarantees.

At the same time, Downing Street avoided commenting on the issue of territorial claims, noting that it is a decision by Zelensky, but hinted that London is no longer pressing for an immediate ceasefire while negotiations continue.

Source: The Guardian

16:41

Trump: Big day at the White House

Shortly before his meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that this is a big day at the White House.

We've never had so many European leaders here at the same time. Great honor for America!!! he noted, adding: Let's see what the results will be???

16:31

Zelensky meets with special envoy Kellogg before talks with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is meeting in Washington with US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg, ahead of crucial peace talks with US President Donald Trump later today, Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform reported.

16:30

British minister: Sending troops to Ukraine is a huge decision

Britain's Social Security Secretary, Stephen Kinnock, said that sending British soldiers to Ukraine would be a huge decision for any prime minister and government.

Speaking on LBC radio, Kinnock was asked about the British contribution to possible security guarantees to Kiev and replied:"Any decision to deploy British forces, armed personnel, is a huge decision. But the Defence Secretary John Healy has made it clear that whether on land, at sea or in the air, the British will play their part, as they have done from the beginning."

On Friday, Healy had said that the government was ready to put British boots on the ground in Ukraine, provided a ceasefire was secured.

Source: FT

16:27

Trump threatened to walk out of Alaska talks over Putin's demands for Donetsk

According to Axios, Trump was ready to prematurely end his talks with Putin in Alaska due to the Russian leader's intransigence on the Donetsk issue.

• Putin made maximalist demands for Ukrainian territory, calling for full control of the Donetsk region, of which Russia holds about 75%.
• At one point, Trump reportedly said: If Donetsk is the issue here and there is no concession, then there is no point in continuing. After that, Putin backed down from his original position.
• Earlier, Reuters reported that at the meeting Russia demanded, among other things, the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. At the same time, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear that the US would not pressure Kiev to cede territory as part of a peace deal.
• Zelensky had stressed on August 17 that negotiations with Russia should be based on the current line of contact and stressed that the Ukrainian Constitution does not allow for the cession or exchange of territory.

16:24

Zelensky's clothing issue returns before meeting with Trump

The White House asked the Ukrainian side if Zelensky would appear in a suit at the meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, according to Axios, which cited two sources with knowledge of the matter.

The issue of appearance had caused tension in the previous meeting between the two, when Trump ironically commented on the Ukrainian president's militaristic attire. American officials at the time believed that the choice of clothing contributed to the negative atmosphere of the meeting.

• According to the information, Zelensky will today wear the black jacket that he had appeared at the NATO summit in the Netherlands in June. He is not expected to wear a tie. Some Trump aides jokingly commented that it would be a good sign for peace if Zelensky appeared in a suit, but admitted that they did not expect it.
• Vice President Vance had appeared more annoyed by the Ukrainian president's previous image than Trump himself, the same sources said. At the same time, American officials noted that Zelensky has now better adapted to his communication with the American president.
• According to Trump's advisers, the atmosphere will not be the same as the previous meeting, as this time European leaders will also be present. Zelensky has avoided wearing a suit since the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2022, saying that he will do so only when the war is over.

16:23

The previous Trump-Zelensky meeting at the White House

Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Washington last February resulted in a heated public confrontation with US President Donald Trump and Vice President Vance.

In front of the cameras, Trump accused the Ukrainian president of gambling with World War III, prematurely ended the meeting that Zelensky had long sought and told him to return when he was ready for peace.

This image is in stark contrast to the warm atmosphere that prevailed at Trump's meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska last Friday.

16:20

What do we know about security guarantees?

The term security guarantees has been heard more and more in recent months in Europe, as discussions and negotiations for a ceasefire in Ukraine continue. But what does it mean?

16:19

Russian Tu-95MS bombers in flight over the Barents Sea

Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, completed a four-hour scheduled patrol over international waters in the Barents Sea, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, as reported by the TASS agency.

Initially, Russian media outlets, including TASS and Interfax, reported that foreign fighter jets had taken off to monitor the flight. The agencies then reissued their reports, omitting the mention of foreign fighter jets being involved. Interfax even retracted its previous version of the story entirely.

16:19

NYT: Putin's Donbas proposal shifts pressure to Zelensky

Putin's proposal is considered by analysts to be a smart move that could cause a rift in Trump-Zelensky relations, which would favor Moscow.

16:16

What will Europeans ask for?

European officials are expected to ask the American president to take a tougher stance against Vladimir Putin.

Trump, however, reiterated that Ukraine must back down on the Crimea issue and abandon its ambitions to join NATO.

Earlier, Starmer stated that everyone wants this to end, especially the Ukrainians, while Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani noted that we are working for peace in Ukraine, which we hope will be achieved soon, but it is not easy and cannot exist without Ukraine.

At the same time, Kiev announced that a US delegation will visit Ukraine in September to implement the agreement on mineral resources.

16:15

Who will participate in the meeting?

The meeting will be attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubbs and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

ABC reports that Vice President J.D. Vance will also participate in Trump's meeting with Zelensky.

16:13

The schedule of meetings at the White House

The schedule is as follows (Greece time):

• 19:00: European leaders arrive at the White House
• 20:00: Trump welcomes Zelensky
• 20:15: Bilateral meeting between Trump and Zelensky
• 21:15: Trump welcomes European leaders
• 22:00: Meeting with European leaders

16:11

Good evening! Together we will cover the crucial meetings at the White House on the future of the war in Ukraine.