The main topic of discussion at the White House meeting will be finding a way to end the war in Ukraine. In addition to Volodymyr Zelensky, a large group of European politicians traveled to Washington, consisting of: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
A completely different atmosphere
Donald Trump first welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky, with whom he answered questions from reporters. After Zelensky's rather awkward and tense previous visit to the White House, the atmosphere was more relaxed this time. After being accused of ingratitude in February, Zelensky used the word"thank you" four times in the first ten seconds of his speech.
He handed Trump a letter from his wife and also thanked US First Lady Melania Trump, who wrote a letter to Putin about the suffering of children during the war.
In search of a diplomatic solution
Donald Trump first received Volodymyr Zelensky, who at the start of the talks said that Ukraine was ready to find a diplomatic path to end the war and reiterated that Kiev wanted a trilateral meeting with Moscow and Washington.
When asked whether Ukraine was ready to"change maps" in a peace deal or "send Ukrainian soldiers to their deaths for a few more years," Zelensky did not give a direct answer, but praised the Trump administration's efforts to stop the war. He then spoke about Ukraine having to live with daily Russian attacks, highlighting Russia's deadly nighttime attack on Kharkiv."We need to stop this war, stop Russia. And we need the support of our American and European partners," he said, according to CNN.
White House timeline
12:00 (6:00 p.m. Slovenian time): Arrival of European leaders at the White House.
1:00 PM (7:00 PM Slovenian time): Zelensky arrives at the White House.
1:15 p.m. (7:15 p.m. Slovenian time): Meeting between Trump and Zelensky in the Oval Office.
2:15 PM (8:15 PM Slovenian time): Trump greets European leaders.
2:30 PM (8:30 PM Slovenian time): Group photo.
15:00 (21:00 Slovenian time): Multilateral meeting.
Trump:"This is not the end of the road"
Donald Trump said that US support for Ukraine will remain, regardless of how today's talks turn out. A reporter asked him whether today's meeting leads to a halt in the delivery of aid to Ukraine. Trump replied: I can never say that. It's never the end of the road. People are dying and we want to stop it. So I wouldn't say it's the end of the road.
He also said he planned to call Putin during today's talks."He's expecting my call when we finish this meeting," he said. He added that he would also raise the issue of a trilateral meeting between him, Putin and Zelensky during the conversation.
"Maybe we'll have a trilateral meeting, maybe we won't. If we don't, the fighting will continue, but if we do, there's a good chance the war might end," Trump said.
🚨FULL REMARKS: President Trump, VP Vance Participate in a Bilateral Meeting with the President of Ukraine in the White House Oval Office - 8/18/25
— AJ Huber (@Huberton) August 18, 2025
REPORTER:"President Zelenskyy, you look FABULOUS in that suit!"
President Trump: “I said the same thing!”
Doocy: “How much… pic.twitter.com/rt3tZnHCcf
Trump: We don't give anything, we sell them
"How much more is the United States willing to give Ukraine?" a reporter asked Trump, to which the US president replied:"We're not giving them anything; we're selling them weapons. Biden gave them $300 billion."
"I love the Ukrainian people, but I love all people. I love the Russian people. I love them all. I want the war to stop," he added.
Praising Zelensky's team
When Zelensky met with Trump in February, their meeting did not go well. Even the clothes Zelensky chose for the meeting at the White House were a stumbling block. Some journalists, as well as US Vice President JD Vance, were annoyed that he was not wearing a suit and tie. In the introduction to today's talks, one of the reporters praised Zelensky's appearance:"You look great in that suit." Trump patted his Ukrainian colleague and added that he had told him so himself, and told Zelensky that it was the journalist he had attacked him before."I remember that. You are wearing the same suit. I changed it," he said.
🚨 LMAO! REPORTER to Zelensky: "You look fabulous in that suit!"
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 18, 2025
TRUMP: "I said the same thing! That's the one that attacked you last time."
ZELENSKY TO REPORTER: "I remember that. You're in the same suit. I changed mine." pic.twitter.com/FsGNeqv3DE
Trump:"A great honor for America!!!"
Before the meeting began, Donald Trump took to his social network Truth Social, writing:"Great day at the White House. We've never had so many European leaders at once. Great honor for America!!! We'll see what the results are???"
Meeting with Kellogg
Zelensky met with US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg near the White House ahead of the formal summit. “We discussed the situation on the battlefield and our strong diplomatic capabilities. Russia can only be forced to peace by force, and President Trump has that power. We must do everything to achieve peace. Thank you!”
I thank @GeneralKellogg for the meeting and for the joint work with our team. President Trump invited Ukraine and other European countries to Washington today – this is the first meeting in such a format, and it is very serious.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 18, 2025
When peace is discussed for one country in Europe,…
Kellogg was initially named Trump's envoy for both Russia and Ukraine, but has been somewhat replaced in recent months by special envoy Steve Witkoff. Kellogg was not part of the U.S. delegation at Friday's meeting in Alaska. A senior Trump administration official told CNN that he was not included in the talks because he is perceived by the Russian side as being pro-Ukrainian and his presence at the meeting could be counterproductive. In a brief note on X, he said he had a"great conversation" with Zelensky.
Zelensky previously met with some European leaders at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington.
