By Our Reporter
U.S. President Donald Trump had a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a cadre of European leaders on Monday, Aug. 18, to discuss Ukraine’s security and work toward a possible peace agreement with Russia.
The summit marked Zelenskyy’s first time back at the White House since his explosive Oval Office meeting in February, when he was berated by Trump and Vice President JD Vance and accused of being ungrateful toward the U.S.
In addition to Zelenskyy, the Trump White House also hosted NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer for a multi-lateral meeting on Monday afternoon.
The group visit from European leaders came just days after Trump’s nearly three-hour summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. During their sit-down on Aug. 15, the two leaders made “great progress,” according to Trump, but did not reach a ceasefire agreement.
“We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left,” Trump told reporters after the Putin summit. “Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant.”
The Europeans view Putin with the deepest suspicion, not only because of the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine but because they fear his expansionist instincts in general. They also regard him as fundamentally untrustworthy.
By contrast, Trump on Monday vouched for the Russian leader’s interest in making peace. Trump was reportedly quoted as saying to the European leaders: “I think President Putin wants to find an answer, too.”
Whether Trump’s confidence in Putin proves warranted or dangerously naïve, the coming weeks will reveal if Washington can bridge its internal divides and hold together a wary European alliance in the face of Moscow’s maneuvers.
With additional reports from YahooNews!