Following the meeting between the US and Russian presidents in Alaska, diplomatic attention shifted to Washington, where Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and seven European leaders. All participants were satisfied with the outcomes, with Trump maintaining his previously stated positions. An important result of the meetings was the preparation for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine with US mediation.
How the Meeting Between Trump and Zelenskyy Went
The meeting between the US and Ukrainian presidents at the White House on August 18 was markedly different in tone from the February public spat between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. Both sides clearly drew their conclusions. The Ukrainian president not only arrived in a formal black suit instead of his usual military attire, as widely emphasized by foreign media, but also generously thanked Trump throughout their 20-minute on-camera conversation, did not interrupt, and smiled. The vice president, who had aggressively opposed Zelenskyy in February, remained silent throughout this meeting.
Based on the presidents’ statements to the press, the following conclusions can be drawn about their negotiations:
Security Guarantees with US Participation
Statements regarding the US readiness to participate in providing security guarantees to Ukraine are highlighted by experts as the most important achievement of the negotiations, although Donald Trump did not go into details.
According to European officials, security guarantees will consist of four components: military presence, air defense, weaponry, and monitoring of the cessation of hostilities. On the eve of the White House meeting, Trump’s special envoy stated that the US could provide guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5 on collective defense, under which an attack on one alliance member is considered an attack on all. A similar proposal was first put forward a few days earlier by the Italian Prime Minister, presenting it as a compromise. As a result, a targeted group of national security advisors and NATO officials to develop security guarantees for Ukraine will be headed by the Secretary of State.
At the same time, Trump continued to emphasize that Europe should bear the primary military responsibility, and the US role would be limited to selling weapons to Europe. Zelenskyy himself stated that he hopes to receive a $90 billion military aid package as part of the security guarantees.
Journalist: What kind of security guarantees for Ukraine do you want from the US president: troop deployment, intelligence sharing, or weaponry?
V. Zelenskyy: All of the above.
After the meeting, additional confidential documents regarding Ukraine’s position were reported. They noted that Ukraine promises to purchase $100 billion worth of American weapons with financial support from Europe and is ready to sign a $50 billion deal with the US for the production of drones by Ukrainian companies. Additionally, Ukraine insists on compensation from Russia for damages, which could be paid using frozen Russian assets worth $300 billion.
The Need for a Peace Treaty
After the Trump-Putin meeting, the US president abandoned his previous demand for an immediate ceasefire, insisting on the importance of concluding a peace treaty. This shift in the American president’s position greatly alarmed Ukraine and European allies. Moreover, Trump did not follow through on his threat to apply « very serious measures » against Russia if Putin did not agree to end the war. Ukrainian and European officials insist on freezing the conflict along the current front lines.
Despite the Ukrainian delegation’s presentation of current maps of front lines and occupied territories, the American president’s position did not change during the meeting with Zelenskyy. All issues related to territorial exchanges were consistently left by Trump to the discretion of Russia and Ukraine.
The next logical step was the possibility of a personal meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy. Although, following the visit to Washington, Zelenskyy accepted the idea of a trilateral summit, after a phone conversation with Vladimir Putin, the US president stated that Zelenskyy and Putin would first have to hold one-on-one negotiations. Then, a meeting between the three leaders could take place, which, in Trump’s opinion, « would give a chance to end the war. »
In a week or two, we will know if we can resolve this. Or these terrible battles will continue, but
Alaska
Alaska is the largest U.S. state, purchased from the Russian Empire in 1867 in a transaction known as « Seward’s Folly. » It is renowned for its vast, rugged wilderness, diverse Indigenous cultures, and significant history tied to the Klondike Gold Rush.Washington
Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, was founded in 1790 as a planned city to serve as the nation’s seat of government. It is most famous for its neoclassical monuments and federal buildings, including the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the Lincoln Memorial, which reflect its central role in American political history.White House
The White House is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States, located in Washington, D.C. It was designed by James Hoban and its construction was completed in 1800; it has been the home of every U.S. president since John Adams. The building was rebuilt after being set on fire by British forces in 1814 during the War of 1812.Oval Office
The Oval Office is the official workspace of the President of the United States, located in the West Wing of the White House. It was first constructed in 1909 during the William Howard Taft administration and has since been rebuilt and redecorated by nearly every president to reflect their personal style.NATO
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a military alliance established in 1949 by Western nations as a collective defense against the threat posed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It has since evolved into a key security organization that promotes democratic values and cooperative defense among its member states across North America and Europe.Article 5
I am unable to provide a summary, as « Article 5 » does not refer to a specific place or cultural site. It is a common designation for a clause or section within a legal document, treaty, or constitution (such as in NATO’s founding treaty). For a proper summary, please provide the name of a specific location or cultural landmark.Secretary of State
The Secretary of State is a senior official in the executive branch of a government, not a physical place. The role has its origins in medieval England as the monarch’s personal scribe, evolving into a key position responsible for foreign affairs. In the United States, the Secretary of State is the head of the U.S. Department of State and the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser.frozen Russian assets
« Frozen Russian assets » refers to sovereign assets and private funds that were immobilized by Western nations as a financial sanction following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. This unprecedented measure, involving hundreds of billions of dollars, has a very recent history rooted in international law and economic statecraft. The ongoing debate now centers on the legality and consequences of potentially confiscating these assets to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction.
