Trump wraps up talks with Zelensky and European leaders: As it happened
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky and several Western European leaders held talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, as Trump renewed calls for a swift end to the Ukraine conflict.
Although no breakthroughs were announced, Trump said the parties discussed unspecified security guarantees for Ukraine. Later that day, he spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and began working toward a potential Putin-Zelensky meeting, to be followed by a trilateral summit with Trump, Zelensky, and Putin.
On Friday, Trump and Putin met in Alaska for the first time since 2019, after which the US president suggested that a peace deal could include “land swaps” and other concessions from both sides.
Ahead of the summit with Trump, the EU and UK reiterated their support for Kiev, emphasizing that Ukraine must not be forced to cede any territory without its consent.
18 August 2025
23:22 GMTThe live stream has ended
- 22:44 GMT
According to CNN, responding to a question on what was agreed upon at the meeting as he was leaving the Oval Office British Prime Minister Starmer said:
“Quite a lot.”
- 22:16 GMT
US President Donald Trump confirmed that he spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin to “begin arrangements” for a trilateral meeting with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky.
He described his earlier talks with Zelensky and EU leaders in Washington as “very good.”
- 22:05 GMT
Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone for 40 minutes.
- 21:15 GMT
The meeting between Trump and the European leaders has ended, according to media reports. Sources in the Ukrainian delegation at the White House have told the BBC that Trump and Zelensky are still in the building for more talks, “possibly in a different format.” The sources also said that Zelensky’s previously planned interview with Fox News has been cancelled.
- 21:02 GMT
Trump has interrupted his talks with Zelensky and European officials at the White House to hold a phone call with Putin, according to BILD. The talks are reportedly expected to resume afterwards. Trump had earlier said he would speak with his Russian counterpart after Monday’s meetings.
- 20:47 GMT
Asked during the meeting about his threat of severe consequences for Russia if it rejects a ceasefire, Trump replied that “we don’t need a ceasefire,” adding that “every war that I ended has [had] a lasting peace.”
- 20:46 GMT
Before heading over to the Multilateral Meeting with European Leaders in the East Room of the @WhiteHouse… pic.twitter.com/720okDltQh
— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) August 18, 2025 - 20:18 GMT
The White House has posted a black-and-white photo of Trump and Zelensky with the caption ‘Pursuing Peace’.
Pursuing Peace. pic.twitter.com/lU5KfaYzyI
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 18, 2025 - 19:35 GMT
Public remarks from Trump and European leaders have concluded. Trump said they would continue talks in the East Room before moving back to the Oval Office for further discussions.
