Trump Zelenskyy Meeting Aims for Ukraine-Russia War Resolution with Security Measures and Territorial Exchanges

U.S. President Donald Trump on August 18, 2025, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, to discuss a potential resolution to the war with Russia. Trump stated that a solution was “very attainable” and expected to be reached “today,” with the resolution likely to include security measures [1]. The meeting came after a series of attacks on Ukrainian cities by Russian forces, which Zelenskyy said were meant to undermine ongoing peace talks in Washington [7].

During the discussions, Trump indicated progress in his indirect communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who he claimed was “expecting my call” following the meeting [1]. He suggested that a trilateral dialogue between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia could be on the horizon if negotiations continue to move forward. Trump also emphasized that a ceasefire is not a prerequisite for a resolution, a shift from his earlier stance [3]. Instead, he focused on broader security arrangements and the possibility of territorial exchanges as part of a lasting peace agreement [8].

Zelenskyy expressed openness to a new security framework and the potential for a trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin [2]. He praised Trump for his efforts and highlighted the support of European leaders present at the talks. However, Zelenskyy reiterated that any territorial concessions would require a referendum, as Ukraine’s constitution does not allow unilateral transfers of land. “I don’t have a mandate to give away territory,” he said, adding that any withdrawal could make parts of Ukraine more vulnerable to Russian advances [6].

Security guarantees for Ukraine were a key topic of discussion. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, mentioned that NATO-style security commitments were on the agenda during the meeting with Zelenskyy [4]. While Trump did not confirm specific measures, he stated that the U.S. would provide “a lot of help” in support of Ukraine’s defense, alongside European allies. “Europe is the first line of defense because they’re there,” he said [5].

The meeting took place amid continued military activity, with Russia launching attacks on Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia the day before the talks. Zelenskyy described these strikes as an attempt to “humiliate diplomatic efforts” and disrupt the peace process [7]. European leaders, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, joined the U.S. in seeking to reinforce Ukraine’s position and avoid a repeat of the controversial February 2024 Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy.

Trump’s evolving position on the conflict reflects a broader strategy that emphasizes compromise between Ukraine and Russia. He noted that the six peace deals he facilitated in recent months did not involve ceasefires, and he is pursuing a similar approach with Ukraine [3]. He also indicated that territorial adjustments would be part of any final agreement, suggesting that “there will be some land swapping going on” [8].

The outcome of the meeting remains uncertain, but Trump has signaled that a resolution is within reach. The involvement of European allies is seen as crucial in balancing U.S. and Russian interests and ensuring that Ukraine’s security is prioritized in any final agreement. Trump’s focus on security measures and potential land exchanges represents a significant development in the diplomatic approach to ending the war.

Source:

[1] https://www.irishtimes.com/world/us/2025/08/18/live-updates-donald-trump-zelenskiy-meeting-ukraine-russia-war-latest/

[4] https://www.wjtv.com/news/zelenskyy-brings-europes-top-leaders-with-him-to-meet-trump/