Trump Aims to Arrange Putin-Zelenskyy Face-to-Face to Pursue Ukraine Peace Deal

President Donald Trump announced that he has begun facilitating a face-to-face meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with the goal of finding a path to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy,” Trump said in a social media post following a White House meeting with Zelenskyy and European leaders on Monday [1]. Trump emphasized that after this initial meeting, a trilateral discussion would follow, involving himself, Putin, and Zelenskyy. “Again, this was a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years,” he added [1].

During the White House meeting, Trump reiterated the importance of a face-to-face dialogue between the two leaders to discuss a potential ceasefire and the status of Ukrainian territory seized by Russia. He also noted that such a meeting would allow both sides to work out a settlement that could end the conflict [1]. Trump’s comments came after a recent summit in Alaska, where he met with Putin and expressed a willingness to consider Russian demands, including concessions on seized Ukrainian territory [1].

In the discussions with Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump stated that he would support European security guarantees for Ukraine but did not commit to U.S. military involvement. Instead, he suggested a “NATO-like” security presence, with specific details to be worked out in collaboration with EU leaders. “They want to give protection and they feel very strongly about it and we’ll help them out with that,” Trump said [1]. The Russian Foreign Ministry, however, has rejected the idea of a NATO peacekeeping force in Ukraine, warning that such a move could lead to “unpredictable consequences” [1].

This meeting marked a shift in tone from Trump’s earlier interactions with Zelenskyy. During a February meeting, Trump abruptly ended discussions after complaining about insufficient gratitude for U.S. military aid. Monday’s meeting, by contrast, was more cordial. Trump hand-delivered a letter from his wife, Melania, to Putin, urging an end to the war and considering the impact on children. Zelenskyy also presented a letter from his wife to Melania [1].

Trump also brought up Ukraine’s delayed elections, which had been postponed due to the ongoing war. He quipped that a similar situation in the U.S. would not be well-received [1]. Zelenskyy, in turn, faced less scrutiny this time regarding his attire, as he wore a more formal outfit compared to his February appearance [1].

European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, praised Trump for opening a path to peace but urged him to push for a ceasefire. Trump acknowledged the importance of an immediate ceasefire but stressed that a lasting peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine is the ultimate goal [1].

Trump also outlined a timeline for progress, suggesting that within a week or two, it would become clear whether a resolution could be reached. He plans to follow up with Putin after meeting with Zelenskyy and European leaders. “We’ll see in a certain period of time, not very far from now, a week or two weeks, we’re going to know whether or not we’re going to solve this or is this horrible fighting going to continue,” Trump said [1].

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with leaders from Britain, Germany, Italy, Finland, and NATO, attended the White House meeting. They sought to ensure Ukraine’s security and prevent further Russian aggression. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called Trump’s commitment to a security guarantee for Ukraine “a big step, a breakthrough” [1].

Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a “strong Ukrainian army” through weapons sales and training, while also depending on the outcome of Monday’s talks for broader guarantees from NATO and the EU. Trump, for his part, reiterated that a comprehensive peace deal is “very attainable” [1].

The developments come as European leaders remain cautious about the specifics of U.S. involvement in Ukraine’s security and as Russia continues to reject any form of foreign military presence on Ukrainian soil [1].

Source: [1] Trump says he’s arranging for Putin and Zelenskyy to meet face to face, followed by meeting of all 3 presidents (https://fortune.com/2025/08/18/trump-putin-zelenskyy-meeting-face-to-face-ukraine-war-ceasefire/)