Trump Acknowledges Key Role Of European Leaders In Ukraine Peace Efforts

Last Updated:August 19, 2025, 00:21 IST

Zelenskyy was joined by a powerful delegation of European allies, underscoring the importance of the summit.

Trump also expressed readiness to support broader European security guarantees for Ukraine (X/White House)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Washington, D.C., on Monday for a pivotal meeting with US President Donald Trump. The visit, taking place just days after Trump’s closed-door summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, is aimed at presenting Ukraine’s position more assertively in the ongoing war with Russia.

Zelenskyy was joined by a powerful delegation of European allies, underscoring the importance of the summit. Among the leaders in attendance were European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Their collective presence demonstrated a strong show of unity and support for Ukraine at a critical juncture in the conflict.

President Trump acknowledged the significance of the day on his Truth Social account, posting, “A big day at the White House. We have never had so many European Leaders here at one time. A great honour for America!! Let’s see what the results will be."

The presence of European leaders not only reinforced their backing of Ukraine but also served as a response to Zelenskyy’s concerns over being excluded from Friday’s private Trump-Putin meeting. Their joint appearance signalled a united front against Russian aggression and a renewed call for diplomatic resolution.

Throughout the war, Zelenskyy has enjoyed continued support from European leaders, who have consistently called for an immediate ceasefire as a prerequisite to negotiating a final peace settlement.

This meeting marked a clear shift in tone from Zelenskyy and Trump’s earlier encounter in February, which had reportedly ended with visible tension. At the time, Trump expressed frustration toward the Ukrainian leader, while Zelenskyy maintained gratitude for the US support. In contrast, Monday’s summit saw a more collaborative and optimistic tone from both sides, signalling potential progress toward resolving the war.

Trump also expressed readiness to support broader European security guarantees for Ukraine. “They want to give protection and they feel very strongly about it and we’ll help them out with that," he said. “I think it’s very important to get the deal done."

In a significant development, Trump revealed plans to speak with President Putin to brief him on the outcomes of Monday’s talks. If discussions proceed positively, Trump is prepared to host a trilateral meeting with both Zelenskyy and Putin present.

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Location :

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published:

August 19, 2025, 00:21 IST

News world Trump Acknowledges Key Role Of European Leaders In Ukraine Peace Efforts

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