Washington, August 18 (V7N) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders at the White House, advancing discussions on Ukraine’s security amid sustained Russian aggression. Trump dismissed the need for an immediate ceasefire in exchange for a peace deal, and instead floated the possibility of a future trilateral meeting involving Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
 
Zelenskyy arrived in the Oval Office wearing a black suit—a noticeable change from his usual military attire—reportedly at the White House’s suggestion, following a previously tense encounter.
 
During the meeting, Trump emphasized that European nations, not the U.S., should bear the majority of the security burden for Ukraine, while still committing to provide strategic guarantees if a peace deal is reached.
 
The summit included leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Finland, NATO, and the EU. While they pushed for a ceasefire as a precondition for credible negotiations, Trump remained unconvinced of its necessity. 
 
Zelenskyy, responding to the proposal of a trilateral meeting, expressed his openness to such a format for resolving territorial disputes and future security arrangements.
 
The president also acknowledged that he would follow up with Putin to set up the meeting, suggesting that the event is likely more a matter of when rather than if.
 
Despite the political theater, the backdrop remains grim: Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, continue to suffer Russian drone and missile attacks. Zelenskyy characterized these as cynical efforts to undermine the ongoing talks.
 
The relatively cordial tone of this meeting marks a thaw from previous tensions, setting the stage for a possible diplomatic breakthrough—though major obstacles remain, particularly surrounding security commitments and territorial integrity.
 
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