Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump met in the Oval Office. The Ukrainian president forwent his usual military attire for the meeting – and received praise for it. Follow all developments in the Ukraine Ticker.
Following the fruitless meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, the European heads of state and government are now visiting the United States. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is also participating in the talks in the American capital.
All developments on the talks and the war in Ukraine in our live ticker:
7:54 PM – Trump denies need for ceasefire
Donald Trump has again denied the need for a ceasefire in Ukraine."We can work on a deal while they're fighting," he said during a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. Zelenskyy and the other Europeans had made a ceasefire a prerequisite for peace talks with Russia.
7:53 PM – Trump wants to call Putin after talks
Following his talks with Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies, Donald Trump plans to call Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Republican announced this in the Oval Office.
7:40 PM – Selenskyy open to elections after the war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed his openness to elections in his country once the Russian war of aggression is over. Elections cannot be held during a war, Zelenskyy said at the White House. However, it must be possible to hold a democratic, open, and legal election. Elections in Ukraine are currently suspended under martial law.
7:32 PM – Trump praises Zelensky’s suit
Right-wing journalist Brian Glenn again asked Zelensky about his outfit—but this time in a much friendlier tone than in February."President Zelensky, you look great in that suit," Glenn said in the Oval Office."I've said that before," Trump interjected, touching Zelensky on the shoulder.
The Ukrainian, who appeared in a black shirt and suit jacket, pointed at Glenn and replied with a smile:"You're wearing the same suit. I changed my outfit, you didn't." Laughter erupted in the room. During Zelensky's last visit to the Oval Office, Glenn accused the statesman of a lack of respect:"You refuse to wear a suit. (...) Do you even own one?"
7:30 p.m. – Trump and Zelensky in the Oval Office
In the US President's office, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy answer journalists' questions. Trump repeatedly emphasized his desire for peace in Ukraine."The war must end. I can't tell you when it will end," Trump said."We need a lasting peace."
19:14 – No military look: Trump welcomes Zelenskyj to the White House
US President Donald Trump received the Ukrainian leader in front of the White House. Zelenskyy did not wear his usual military look, but rather a black shirt and jacket. There had been speculation about what Zelenskyy would choose. During his last visit to the White House, Trump made a derogatory remark about Zelenskyy's casual outfit. Shortly afterward, right-wing journalist Brian Glenn asked the Ukrainian leader why he was not wearing a suit."You refuse to wear a suit. (...) Do you even own one?" Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Zelenskyy has opted for a military look, usually in olive green.
Trump touched the Ukrainian on the shoulder. They both smiled and looked into the cameras together. The US president briefly placed his hand on Zelensky's shoulder again. Trump then gave way to the Ukrainian as he entered the White House.
6:47 p.m. – Macron arrives for Ukraine meeting
With French President Emmanuel Macron, the group of European heads of state and government announced at the White House is complete."I'm delighted to be back," Macron said in English upon his arrival. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is now expected to arrive.
6:40 p.m. – Merz arrives at the White House
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also entered the White House. Upon his arrival, he, along with the other guests, was greeted by US Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Finnish President Alexander Stubb had arrived earlier.
6:19 p.m. – Rutte and von der Leyen arrive at the White House
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has arrived at the White House. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are also now on site. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before a larger meeting. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the heads of state and government of France, Italy, and Finland are also expected to attend.
5:25 p.m. – EU special summit via video on Tuesday
All 27 heads of state and government are scheduled to meet in a video conference on Tuesday to debrief the summit on the Ukraine war at the White House. EU Council President António Costa has convened the members of the European Council for 1 p.m., wrote on Platform X. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also expected to participate.
5:18 PM – Putin picks up the phone
Russian President Vladimir Putin is discussing his recent meeting in Alaska with the head of state of Brazil and the head of government of India. Putin informed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the summit's results, the presidential office in Moscow announced. According to the report, both discussed the prospects for a long-term solution to the Ukraine conflict. Putin also spoke with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva about the meeting.
4:52 PM – Trump attacks critics
Before the start of the summit with European heads of government, US President Donald Trump posted an angry message on his"Truth Social" platform. The Republican claimed he had"settled six wars in six months," without specifying which conflicts he was referring to.
Trump also reiterated his claim that Russia's attack on Ukraine would never have happened had he been president in 2022. He said he knew"exactly" what he was doing. Those responsible for US policy in recent years had been incapable of stopping the war. They were"stupid people without common sense, intelligence, or understanding," Trump continued, partly in capital letters.
4:34 PM – Zelenskyy completes first appointment in Washington
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has completed his first visit to Washington, D.C., during his visit to the United States. Zelenskyy posted a video on X of a meeting with Keith Kellogg, the US special representative for Ukraine. Kellogg was originally also responsible for Russia, but the Kremlin reportedly considered him too pro-Ukraine as a liaison. Middle East envoy and former real estate investor Steve Witkoff is now handling relations with Moscow.
2:11 p.m. – Western politicians hold meeting with Zelenskyj before meeting with Trump
Ahead of the Ukraine talks with US President Donald Trump, top Western politicians will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington. The EU Commission announced this was a"preparatory meeting." Zelenskyy will then meet with Trump for a bilateral discussion, after which the other Western politicians will join him for the consultations.
13:34 – Kyiv: Russia sends armored vehicle with Russian and US flags into battle
According to Kyiv, the Russian army has deployed an armored vehicle bearing Russian and US flags into battle in the contested southern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhia. The head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Andriy Yermak, reportedly showed the vehicle to the Russian state broadcaster RT on the messaging service Telegram.
According to the Kyiv Independent, it is an M113 armored personnel carrier – an American-made vehicle that was apparently delivered to Ukraine but captured by the Russian armed forces.
The friendly summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin has brought some momentum to the countries' difficult bilateral relations. Trump has also repeatedly accused Ukraine of being responsible for the ongoing fighting – Russian soldiers may be using the flag to signal that the US might now increasingly side with the Kremlin in the war.
1:21 p.m. – Selensky: Russia wants to increase pressure with attacks before Trump meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accuses Russia of using the new airstrikes to put pressure on his planned talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington."This was a demonstrative and cynical Russian strike," Zelenskyy wrote on the online platform X.
Among other things, an Azerbaijani-owned oil facility was hit. The Russian leadership knows that the meeting in Washington is intended to discuss an end to the war. Putin will rely on demonstrative killings to maintain pressure on Ukraine and Europe and to humiliate diplomatic efforts."That is precisely why we are seeking support to put an end to the killing," Zelenskyy explained.
11:46 a.m. – Authorities: Seven dead in drone attack on Kharkiv
In the most massive Russian drone strike in two weeks, seven people were killed in a residential area of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv overnight into Monday, according to local authorities. Among the dead were a toddler and a 16-year-old boy, authorities said. Twenty other people were injured, including six children. The attack occurred just hours before a planned meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and leading European politicians with US President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss a peace plan.
9:50 a.m. – Rubio: Russians had to pay for aircraft fuel in Alaska in cash
Even though US President Donald Trump had a friendly meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday, the sanctions against Russia remain in place. The US is also participating in the punitive measures. And because these also affect payment transactions, the Russian delegation had to resort to unusual measures on its trip to Alaska, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In an interview with NBC, Rubio said,"They had to offer to pay for the fuel in cash to refuel their planes because they can't use our banking system." He added that the Russians are feeling the consequences of the sanctions "every day." Putin arrived in Alaska at the end of the week on several planes from Russia to meet with Trump at a military base there.
07:48 a.m. – Merz on his way to Washington
Here Merz arrives at Munich Airport and goes to the Air Force Airbus A319 for the flight to Washington.
05:06 – Zelenskyy arrives in Washington ahead of meeting with Trump
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has arrived in Washington ahead of his meeting with Trump. Zelenskyy announced this on X."We all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably," the president emphasized. However, peace must be"lasting."
“Not like years ago, when Ukraine had to give up Crimea and part of our east – part of the Donbas – and Putin simply used that as a springboard for a new attack,” Zelenskyy wrote.
03:45 – Trump rules out the return of Crimea and Ukraine joining NATO
Before his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Donald Trump ruled out the return of the Crimean peninsula, annexed by Russia, and Ukraine's accession to NATO."Some things never change," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday evening.
Trump also stated that it was up to Zelensky to end the war."Ukrainian President Zelensky can end the war with Russia almost immediately if he wants, or he can continue fighting," the US president wrote. He cited Ukraine's renunciation of the Crimean peninsula and NATO membership as conditions.
Sunday, August 17:
10:14 PM – Wadephul rejects German soldiers in Ukraine
According to a podcast by the media portal table.media, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) said that Germany would have to play an important role in securing peace. Ukraine needs security guarantees. The US has indicated that it is willing to provide them. Now we must see how this can be implemented together with the Europeans. However, he rejects German soldiers in Ukraine.
It was agreed to focus on NATO territory. The Bundeswehr has already stationed a brigade in Lithuania. Stationing additional German soldiers in Ukraine"would likely overwhelm us," says Wadephul. With regard to possible peace talks, he is"cautiously optimistic." There is a chance that serious discussions will take place about ending hostilities and then about peace. With this in mind, Chancellor Friedrich Merz is traveling with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet with Donald Trump in Washington."He wouldn't do that if he didn't expect there to be a possibility."
8:36 PM – Rubio: Will discuss US security guarantees for Ukraine on Monday
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CNN that the US believes some progress has been made through the Trump-Putin talks. Now they need to follow up. Ultimately, this should lead to a meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump,"where we can conclude this matter. But we need to move this forward before we get to that point." Security guarantees offered to Zelensky could also include a US commitment, Rubio said."We'll talk about that tomorrow. (...) It would be a very big step for the president to offer a US commitment to a security guarantee."
US representatives had already discussed security details for Ukraine with national security advisors from European countries on Saturday. The goal is to be able to present these to Russia as part of a peace agreement. However, Russia and Ukraine will not get everything they want, Rubio said."If one side gets everything they want, that's not a peace agreement. That's called surrender, and I don't think this war will end anytime soon on the basis of surrender." Rubio told ABC that if there is no agreement to end the war, existing US sanctions against Russia will continue, and more could be added.
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