Trump, Zelenskyy meet in Washington as Putin signals openness to security guarantees

US President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Aug 18, accompanied by European leaders, marking a pivotal moment in diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

During the summit, Trump reaffirmed that the United States would help guarantee Ukraine's security describing the commitments as “Article 5-like” guarantees while European allies would assume the primary role in ensuring Ukraine’s defense.

In his post-meeting remarks, President Zelenskyy said the security arrangement details would likely be "unpacked" and formalized within 10 days.

He emphasized that discussions related to Ukrainian territory would be handled in direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Any such talks, he insisted, must respect Ukraine’s constitutional framework and reflect the will of its people.

The meeting built on Trump’s earlier summit with Putin in Alaska, where security guarantees and a potential trilateral follow-up emerged as key topics.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed that Putin had expressed readiness to meet Zelenskyy within two weeks. However, the Kremlin has yet to formally commit.

European leaders underscored that Ukraine must receive "ironclad security guarantees" without compromising its sovereignty or NATO access. They also assured Kyiv of ongoing support and sanctions pressure.

Despite diplomatic advances, hostilities continue on the ground. Reuters reported that Russian shelling resumed in eastern Ukraine even as leaders gathered, underscoring the continued volatility of the conflict.