Zelensky Hails ‘Very Good’ Talks with Trump as Leaders Eye Roadmap to Peace

“Leaders emphasize unity, security, and long-term stability as negotiations move toward a framework to end the war and safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty.”

Washington, Aug 2025 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced cautious optimism after his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, calling their exchange “a very good conversation” as the two leaders sought ways to end Ukraine’s grinding war with Russia. The talks, which later expanded to include seven European leaders, marked one of the most significant coordinated diplomatic efforts since Russia’s full-scale invasion began more than three years ago.

Zelensky’s Hopeful Tone

Speaking alongside European counterparts later in the day, Zelensky described his private discussions with Trump as constructive and unusually cordial.

“I think that we had a very good conversation with President Trump, and it really was the best one—or, maybe, the best one will be in the future,” Zelensky said, hinting at continued negotiations ahead. “We spoke about very sensitive points.”

The Ukrainian leader stressed that a ceasefire was essential, noting that peace was a prerequisite for Ukraine to hold free and fair democratic elections. “We need to stop this war to stop Russia,” he said. “And we need support from American and European partners.”

Trump’s Changing Approach

Trump welcomed Zelensky to the White House with a handshake and smile— a sharp contrast to their tense February meeting, when Trump publicly chastised the Ukrainian president for being “ungrateful” for U.S. aid.

This time, Trump emphasized progress, pointing to his recent Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said Putin had expressed willingness to accept “security guarantees” for Ukraine, though he offered little detail on what form those guarantees might take.

“I think the European nations are going to take a lot of the burden,” Trump said. “We’re going to help them, and we’re going to make it very secure.”

Asked whether U.S. troops might one day be involved in enforcing peace, Trump did not rule out the possibility. “We’re going to work with Ukraine, we’re going to work with everybody, and we’re going to make sure that if there is peace, the peace is going to stay long-term,” he said.

Contentious Issues: Land and NATO

Despite the friendlier tone, core disputes remain unresolved. Putin has insisted on retaining about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory currently under Russian control, while Zelensky has repeatedly said Ukraine’s constitution prohibits ceding land.

Pressed on whether he would consider redrawing Ukraine’s borders, Zelensky avoided a direct answer, repeating: “We need to stop this war.”

Another sticking point is Ukraine’s NATO aspirations. Moscow demands Kyiv abandon its membership ambitions, a position Trump has signaled he might support. In a post on Truth Social on Sunday night, Trump argued that Zelensky could “end the war almost immediately” by conceding Crimea to Russia and shelving NATO hopes.

Zelensky pushed back firmly, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “Russia must end this war, which it itself started. Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.”

A Historic Gathering at the White House

Following the bilateral talks, Trump and Zelensky joined an extraordinary delegation of European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“We will come to a resolution today, I think, on almost everything, including probably the security,” Trump declared before the start of the expanded session.

The leaders focused heavily on potential security guarantees for Ukraine. Several compared them to NATO’s Article 5, which obligates members to defend one another in the event of an attack. Macron stressed that such guarantees must ensure a “credible Ukrainian army for decades to come” and require fair burden-sharing between the United States and Europe.

A Trilateral Summit in the Works?

Trump suggested he might soon convene a trilateral summit with Putin and Zelensky to hammer out details of a peace framework. “A lot of people were killed last week,” Trump noted, “and I know the president [Zelensky], I know myself, and I believe Vladimir Putin want to see it ended.”

Whether Moscow would participate remains uncertain. While Putin reportedly signaled in Alaska that he was open to further talks, the Kremlin has consistently opposed any agreement that would bring NATO forces or guarantees into Ukraine. On Monday, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson reiterated Moscow’s rejection of “any scenarios that envisage the appearance in Ukraine of a military contingent with NATO countries.”

A War That Could Escalate

For Trump, the urgency is not only humanitarian but also geopolitical. He has repeatedly warned that failure to end the war risks triggering a larger global conflict. “You’re gambling with World War III,” he told Zelensky during their February confrontation.

On Monday, his language was softer but no less urgent: “People are being killed and we want to stop that. I think we have a good chance of doing it.”

The Shift in Atmosphere

Observers noted that Monday’s meetings were more measured than previous encounters. During Zelensky’s February visit, Vice President J.D. Vance openly criticized the Ukrainian leader. This time, Vance sat quietly at Trump’s side. Trump himself, who once told Zelensky that his country was “in big trouble” and held no “cards,” avoided such blunt dismissals.

Instead, when asked who now holds the stronger position, Trump demurred. “I don’t want to say that,” he replied.

Looking Ahead

Despite the new diplomatic energy, the road to peace remains steep. Zelensky continues to reject territorial concessions, while Putin demands them as a condition for negotiations. Trump appears determined to mediate but is balancing U.S. domestic politics, European expectations, and Russian demands.

Still, Monday’s summit brought all major players—Washington, Kyiv, and Europe—closer to the same table, something that had eluded previous peace efforts.

“Ultimately, this is a decision that can only be made by President Zelensky and by the people of Ukraine, working also together in agreement with President Putin,” Trump concluded. “And I just think that very good things are going to come of it.”

For now, hope hinges on whether the tentative goodwill displayed in Washington can be translated into real steps toward ending Europe’s deadliest war in decades.

Team Maverick.