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European leaders including Ursula von der Leyen, Keir Starmer, Alexander Stubb, Volodymyr Zelensky, President Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, Giorgia Meloni, Friedrich Merz, and NATO chief Mark Rutte pose for a group photo at the White House in Washington, D.C., on August 18. / Source: EPA·Yonhap News

US President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on August 18 before joining European leaders for broader talks on ending the war in Ukraine and securing Kyiv’s future security guarantees.

“I believe a peace agreement is very achievable and could be reached in the near future,” Trump said after his one-on-one with Zelensky. He added that discussions must include “possible territorial exchanges, given the current front lines,” though he stressed that “this is ultimately a matter of timing and a decision for President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people.”

Zelensky avoided directly answering when asked whether he would accept territorial adjustments, instead reiterating: “Russia must be stopped, and we need the support of the United States and our European partners. I support President Trump’s diplomatic efforts to end this war.”

Trump said he intends to pursue a three-way summit “as soon as possible” with Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I feel something can come out of it,” he remarked, adding he planned to call Putin after his meetings in Washington. Zelensky responded that Ukraine was “ready for a trilateral meeting,” stressing the urgency of halting daily Russian attacks.

The U.S. president also underscored that Europe must be “the first line of defense” for Ukraine’s security, but pledged that “America will support and stay engaged.” Asked about the prospect of U.S. troops or security commitments for postwar Ukraine, Trump said, “We will provide them with very strong protection and security, and Europe will also be fully engaged.”

Zelensky, pressed on what guarantees he seeks from Washington, answered simply: “Everything.” He highlighted the need for weapons, training, intelligence, and a stronger Ukrainian military, while pointing to the role of the U.S. and other major partners in shaping Kyiv’s future security framework.

The talks followed Trump’s August 15 meeting with Putin in Alaska, where the Kremlin reportedly signaled willingness to accept Western-backed security guarantees for Ukraine — a development Trump described as “very important progress.”

After their bilateral session, Trump and Zelensky were joined by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte for a wider discussion.