Donald Trump, the impeached former President of the United States, will have his first in-person meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He will welcome a handful of European leaders to the White House on August 16, 2025. This landmark assembly will focus on continued friction in the Russia-Ukraine war, currently in its fourth year. Participants hope to have some of the toughest talks on a possible peace agreement.
Trump will greet Zelenskyy at 1 p.m. ET, followed by bilateral talks starting at 1:15 p.m. Strategic dialogues are highly expected as both leaders face the grim realities of their nations’ fight against unprovoked Russian aggression. Prior to this meeting, Trump expressed optimism regarding the day’s significance through a post on Truth Social, stating, “It’s a big day at the White House.”
The backdrop of these discussions is highlighted by none other than Trump’s very own provocations. On August 15, 2025, he hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, for almost three hours. When this session of Congress ended without an agreement on a ceasefire, we were all right to worry about the region’s prospects for peace. Trump’s previous meeting with Zelenskyy in February 2025 had devolved into heated exchanges, revealing the challenges of diplomatic communication between Washington and Kyiv.
During a recent meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on July 14, Trump announced a deal aimed at supplying weapons to NATO allies. This effort fits into his administration’s larger effort to stabilize Europe in the wake of the Russian invasion, which still continues. At a special meeting held on July 28, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was in talks on site Trump Turnberry golf course in Scotland. They emphasized the importance of European security and the immediate need for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine.
Trump’s public statements reflect a commitment to achieving “lasting peace” that is “fair and just” for both Russia and Ukraine. He expressed pride in welcoming numerous European leaders to the White House, stating, “We have never had so many European leaders here at one time.” Among those expected to attend are French President Emmanuel Macron, U.K. Prime Minister Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Rutte.
Zelenskyy has long proclaimed the need for concrete security guarantees to protect Ukraine from further aggression and to maintain its sovereignty. He has condemned Russia’s continued murders as “demonstrative killings.” He thinks these actions are meant to terrorize the people of Ukraine and undermine diplomacy. He stated, “Putin will commit demonstrative killings to maintain pressure on Ukraine and Europe,” highlighting the urgent need for international assistance to end such violence.
In addition, the Ukrainian leader has called for a coordinated effort among European nations, urging them to respond to the crisis together. “When peace is discussed for one country in Europe, it means peace for all of Europe,” he noted. His priority needs to continue to be achieving durable security and making sure that Russia is not rewarded for its aggression. He asserted, “The war must be ended. And it is Moscow that must hear the word: ‘Stop.’”
As preparations for the upcoming discussions continue, both Trump and Zelenskyy face mounting pressure from their respective constituencies to secure tangible outcomes. The stakes are high not only for Ukraine but for European and transatlantic stability and security in general. Starmer emphasized the broader implications of the conflict on Europe, stating, “It’s impacted every single family and community in the United Kingdom, and so everybody wants it to end, not the least the Ukrainians.”