3:25Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump engage in a meeting at the White House’s Oval Office in Washington, August 18, 2025.Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared optimistic during their meeting at the White House on Monday, as Trump advocates for an end to Russia’s conflict with Kyiv.
Zelenskyy was accompanied in Washington by a distinguished group of European leaders who quickly traveled to the U.S. in support of the Ukrainian president following Friday’s discussions between Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
The last occasion Zelenskyy visited the Oval Office was in February, when he faced criticism from President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who accused him of lacking gratitude for U.S. military support.
Monday’s meeting was notably more amicable, with Trump and Zelenskyy exchanging smiles, and Zelenskyy expressing gratitude to the president for his personal initiatives aimed at resolving this conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump engage in a meeting at the White House’s Oval Office in Washington, August 18, 2025.Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Subsequently, they convened with European leaders, who publicly urged Trump regarding the necessity for security assurances for Ukraine as part of any agreement—following Trump’s new commitment on this matter. Some also indicated that a ceasefire would be essential before any further negotiations or a trilateral meeting involving Trump, Zelenskyy, and Putin.
Here are some significant observations from the high-stakes discussions.
Trump states that the U.S. will provide Ukraine with ‘excellent protection’
On Monday, President Trump asserted that the United States would engage in security support for Ukraine, though he did not specify what that would entail or provide any details.
"We will discuss it today, but we will provide them with very good protection, very good security," Trump stated.
Later, the president confirmed that Putin indicated Russia would accept security guarantees for Ukraine.
Trump did not go as far as special envoy Steve Witkoff, who informed CNN that Russia had consented to "Article 5-like" protections. Article 5 is the NATO collective defense agreement stipulating that an attack on one member is deemed an attack on all.
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance, join President Donald Trump as he meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office at the White House, Aug. 18, 2025 in Washington.Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Trump remarked that Europe would need to bear much of the responsibility for security guarantees, but emphasized that the U.S. would be involved.
"They are the first line of defense because they are there," Trump stated, adding, "But we will assist them. We will also be engaged."
Trump retreats from ceasefire demand
After previously advocating for a ceasefire and warning of substantial repercussions for Russia if Putin did not halt the conflict, President Trump seemed to retract that request.
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Sourse: abcnews.go.com
