Zelenskyy Receives Warmer White House Welcome in High-Stakes Trump Meeting

Their encounter began with a show of thanks. A handshake and laughing. It remained pleasant throughout.

The ambiance in the Oval Office was dramatically different from the last time Volodymyr Zelenskyy came, when the Ukrainian leader was subjected to a verbal barrage from President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. He finally left the White House.

Zelenskyy's second encounter with Trump on August 18 was completely different in tone and substance from the first.

Trump did not rule out deploying US soldiers to Ukraine to assist with post-war peacekeeping efforts, but he did not commit to doing so. He also did not make any ultimatums to Zelensky.

When asked if failing to secure a peace settlement would spell "the end of the road" for US assistance to Ukraine, Trump responded, "I can never say that, it's never the end of the road."

Trump's commitment to Ukraine was called into question after he threw out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15. After their meeting, he mirrored Russian positions in peace talks.

Trump backed down from his warning to impose "severe consequences" on Putin if he did not agree to a ceasefire. He claimed that a cease-fire was not required to reach a peace agreement, which contradicts Europe and Ukraine's positions. He informed Zelenskyy he would have to give up Crimea.

However, Trump's measured tone with Zelenskyy and openness to consider considerable US engagement in a post-war security arrangement were remarkable following his cordial encounter with Putin, reassuring Ukrainian allies.

His remarks following the Alaska summit spurred worried European officials to rush to Washington, D.C., to join Zelenskyy for his meeting with Trump. This resulted in an unexpected meeting at the White House.

European leaders assembled around a table in the East Room, attempting to salvage a better ending for Ukraine in the three-year conflict, making it clear as they spoke that they regard Ukraine's security as inextricably linked to theirs.

"The fact that you have said I am willing to participate in security guarantees is a big step," said NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the leaders' meeting. "It's a breakthrough, and it makes all the difference."

Trump entertains security guarantees for Ukraine

Zelenskyy has emphasized that any peace settlement must come with security guarantees, and labeled it a "significant change" when Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff claimed over the weekend that the US had received a promise from Russia to allow America to assist in protecting Ukraine.

Witkoff said the administration was considering a security system comparable to NATO's Article 5, which requires all members to respond if any member is attacked.

Trump said that America could send troops to join a coalition led by European nations. "We'll be involved," he declared.

He stated that European nations will be the "first line of defense" in the proposed arrangement. "We're going to help them out also."

Zelenskyy stated that he requires US assistance to assist Ukraine's army, as well as weaponry and intelligence, as part of important security guarantees in a peace deal with Russia.

"Everything," Zelenskyy said of the security help he needed from the United States to reach an agreement.

When pressed to respond, Trump refused to promise to provide Ukraine with "NATO-like" protection. He pointed again at Europe.

"We will help them with that," Trump stated. "I think it's very important."

"I don't think you need a ceasefire,' Trump says

While Trump was receptive to US involvement in Ukraine's security after the war, he declined to pause the fight during discussions, much to the chagrin of visiting Europeans.

Trump stated before he met with Putin on August 15 that he desired a ceasefire and that there would be "severe consequences" if the Russian leader did not agree to it.

However, in a weekend social media post, Trump stated that they should immediately pursue a peace agreement.

Trump said he supports the notion of a ceasefire to halt the killing, but that a peace deal may be reached while the war continues. He acknowledged that, "strategically," a ceasefire could be a disadvantage for one side or the other."

"You have a ceasefire and they rebuild and rebuild and rebuild," according to him. "And you know, maybe they don't want that."

A ceasefire that expires might assist Putin, who has increased his attacks on Ukraine to press his military advantage and weaken the country's negotiation position, and it drew strong opposition from France and Germany's leaders in the expanded meeting that followed.

According to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the "credibility" of peace talks is dependent on a ceasefire.

A ceasefire, according to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is necessary for the "credibility" of the peace discussions.

"So let's work on that and let's try to put pressure on Russia," Mr. Merz said.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who sat expressionless during the conversation, warned Trump that a ceasefire is a "necessity."

Trump continues to press Zelenskyy on 'exchanges of territory'

The night before the summit, Trump proclaimed on social media that any peace deal would not allow Ukraine to reclaim Crimea, a peninsula seized by Russia in 2014. He also stated that joining NATO was not an option.

Trump has been pressuring Zelenskyy in recent days to cede land, something Putin has requested and the Ukrainians have opposed.

Trump has previously stated that Russia should keep Crimea. However, on the eve of the meeting with Zelenskyy, he publicly highlighted the concessions he expected Ukraine to make.

After weeks of focusing on Putin's refusal to accept peace, he stated it was up to Zelenskyy to bring the war to a conclusion.

Trump mentioned territorial concessions again while seated across from him in the East Room.

"We also need to discuss the possible exchanges of territory, taking into consideration the current line of contact," President Trump said to European leaders.

Zelenskyy deferred on the topic, stating that it would be discussed later.

"All the sensitive things, territorial, etcetera, we will discuss on the level of leaders" in a three-way meeting with Trump and Putin, Zelenskyy explained.

Zelenskyy changes his clothes and repeatedly thanks Trump

When Zelenskyy was last in the Oval Office, everything seemed to go wrong for him.

He was criticized by a MAGA-friendly reporter for not wearing a suit. Vance pounced on him, telling him that he should thank the US for its backing of Ukraine. Trump leapt in.

The fight was one of the most stunning diplomatic encounters in contemporary presidential history. After the meeting, Zelenskyy's visit was cut short.

This time, both he and Trump were determined to prevent a public disaster. Zelenskyy dressed in a black military-style outfit and congratulated Trump repeatedly from the outset.

Zelenskyy handed Trump a note and stated it was for his wife, not him, causing Trump to giggle alongside the Ukrainian leader. Trump liked Zelenskyy's attire.

Vance did not say anything this time after initiating the pile on the previous time. He reclined back on the couch as the leaders spoke.

Trump went out of his way to compliment European leaders, who informed him in English that they all desired peace. There was evident strain beneath the surface.

Sitting next to Trump, the often-affable Macron was tough, saying Europeans are "very lucid" about the need to do their "fair share" of security assurances for Ukraine.

Merz praised Trump but was straight and pointed.

"The next steps ahead are the more complicated ones now," Mr. Merz said.

Trump says 'when, not if' on three-way meeting with Zelensky and Putin

Following the high-wire diplomacy demonstrated at his back-to-back summits, Trump envisions the next big step as a three-way meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy.

Trump stated that a meeting of this nature will happen "when, not if."

"We're going to set that up today, after this meeting," stated the gentleman.

Trump later stated that he spoke with Putin after his meetings with European leaders ended, "and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy." He promised a three-way meeting "after that," but didn't say when.