Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump met at the White House in a pivotal session aimed at shaping the future of the Russia&ndash;Ukraine war. The meeting, markedly calmer than their heated February encounter, sought to align Washington, Kyiv, and European allies on a potential roadmap toward peace.
Trump ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine but endorsed the idea of Europe-led security guarantees, with the U.S. in a coordinating role. Zelensky welcomed the signal as &ldquo;strong&rdquo; while emphasising that Ukraine must retain a credible army and defences.
A significant shift came as Trump dropped his demand for a preconditioned ceasefire, echoing Russia&rsquo;s position that talks should focus first on a long-term framework. He also revealed he had spoken with Vladimir Putin, exploring a Zelensky&ndash;Putin bilateral that could evolve into a trilateral track.
Inside the Oval Office, Trump presented a map of Russian-held territory, though he avoided stating a U.S. position on territorial concessions. Zelensky stood firm, insisting Ukraine would not cede land, framing sovereignty as non-negotiable.
European leaders, including Macron, Starmer, Merz, and NATO&rsquo;s Mark Rutte, backed Kyiv while cautioning that difficult compromises lie ahead. They stressed humanitarian priorities like POW exchanges and the return of abducted children as early deliverables.
While Trump claimed progress could come in &ldquo;a week or two,&rdquo; allies warned that red lines on territory, enforcement, and verification mean the path forward will be complex. The meeting reset the process, projecting unity but leaving the hardest questions unanswered.
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Talks ease tensions, explore guarantees, but disputes on territory remain unresolved

Zelensky–Trump Meet: Unity and Red Lines

Talks ease tensions, explore guarantees, but disputes on territory remain unresolved

August 19, 2025 | 15:03 IST