KEY MOMENTS
Updated 4 minutes ago
The United States will provide military support to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, Donald Trump has confirmed.
Speaking in the Oval Office alongside Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Trump said that Europe would be the first line of defence, but added: “We will give them very good protection, very good security”.
“There’ll be a lot of help when it comes to security. It’s going to be good,” the US president said.
“They [Europe] are, first line of defence because they’re there, but we’re going to help them out also. We’ll be involved when it comes.”
Mr Trump also refused to rule out sending American troops to Ukraine three times, despite previously saying he would not put US boots on the ground.
“We’ll let you know that, maybe, later today. We’re meeting with seven great leaders of great countries, also, and we’ll be talking about that.”
Moments before the meeting began, Russia’s foreign ministry said it would not accept Nato troops being sent to Ukraine and accused the UK of putting out “provocative” statements about sending a peacekeeping force in the event of a ceasefire.
During the exchange with reporters, Mr Zelensky quipped that he wanted “everything” from the US but clarified that security guarantees involve receiving “weapons, people, training, missions and intelligence”. Mr Trump did not reject that request out of hand.
A meeting between Mr Trump, Mr Zelensky and other European leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, is now under way at the White House
Kieran Kelly. Iona Cleave. Connor Stringer Deputy US Editor. Joe Barnes Brussels Correspondent. Andrea Hamblin. Chanel Zagon
18 August 2025 7:46pm
The human cost of Russia’s war
Away from the White House, Valentina, 68, volunteered to help coordinate the distribution of aid with a local partner of humanitarian agency World Jewish Relief, bringing along others to assist. She supported people arriving from recently occupied territories.
Now, she will become a refugee of Russia’s war.
Her mother is being collected by her granddaughter, but there isn’t enough space for Valentina to go with her, so she plans to stay with her son in the Donetsk region, which Putin is hoping to prize away from Ukraine in negotiations. However, his one-room apartment means she may have to move on again.
She told The Telegraph that she sees herself as being “on a journey to nowhere”. She really does not want to leave her apartment or all the things she has worked for her entire life.
The situation in Druzhkivka is unbearable. She said: “The city is constantly engulfed in smoke — we don’t know if it’s from Russian or Ukrainian shelling.”
One of her colleagues said: “She was in tears, packing up her belongings. She is leaving ‘for nowhere’ — her son is forcing her to leave as ‘staying is impossible.’ She understands this is a one-way journey and that she may never see her town or her home again.”
Paul Anticoni, Chief Executive of humanitarian agency World Jewish Relief and whose local partner Valentina served as a volunteer, said: “I’ve been sickened over the past three years to watch the lives of so many Ukrainians being torn apart by loss, displacement, and uncertainty.
“World Jewish Relief remains committed to helping them navigate this dark time, providing the support and hope they so urgently need.”
Analysis: No10 will be cheering after Trump’s security promise
There was one big win from that Trump-Zelensky face-off for the European contingent: Explicit, public promises from the US President of security guarantees.
In recent days there have been passing comments from Trump administration figures that such support for any European peace-keeping force was being offered.
But – critically – there had been nothing on the record from Mr Trump, until now.
“We will give them very good protection, very good security. That’s part of it,” the US President said at one point.
At another he said: “We’ll help them out with that.” Mr Trump did not even rule out using US troops in some capacity to back up European peace-keepers.
The comments were so different in tone to Sir Keir Starmer’s first Oval Office meeting with this president back in February when there was prevarication over the issue.
It remains to be seen what, exactly, Mr Trump has in mind. But Number 10 will be cheering what they have heard so far.
Analysis: Europe will be relieved after calmer meeting
The set up was the same: Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky sitting side by side in the Oval Office. JD Vance, the vice president who is back from his British vacation, sat on the sofa to Mr Trump’s left, and even Brian Glenn, the TV reporter who challenged the Ukrainian over his casual attire in February, was present in the press pool again.
But where things spiralled out of control in front of the cameras last time around, Monday’s meeting went very differently.
The Ukrainian president turned up in the next best thing to a suit. Neither president bit on the trickiest questions, falling back on vague platitudes instead. Mr Vance, who ratcheted up tension in February with several pointed interventions, did not say a word.
And the whole thing was done after about 26 minutes, allowing everyone to get on with the next step in trying to find peace in Ukraine.
There will be bigger tests ahead. But the European leaders cooling their heels elsewhere at the White House will be relieved that Mr Zelensky’s second Oval Office meeting went much better than his first.
Trump to call Putin after meeting with European leaders
In one of his last comments in front of the media, Mr Trump said he was going to call Vladimir Putin after his meeting with European leaders.
He reiterated that he hoped to arrange a trilateral meeting involving Mr Zelensky and Putin.
Zelensky and Trump asked about security guarantees
For a third time, Mr Trump has refused to rule out sending American troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal.
He clarified that security guarantees would be “Nato-like”.
Mr Zelensky then quipped that he would like “everything” from the US but clarified that security guarantees mean having a strong Ukrainian army, as well as weapons and support from Kyiv’s allies.
No ceasefire needed for peace, says Trump
Donald Trump said a ceasefire was not necessary for peace in Ukraine, saying a deal could be worked out while the two countries are at war.
“I don’t think you need a ceasefire. You know, if you look at the six deals that I settled this year, they were all at war, I didn’t do any ceasefires,” the US president said alongside Mr Zelensky.
“I know that it might be good to have, but I can also understand, strategically, why one country or the other wouldn’t want it.
“You have a ceasefire and they rebuild and rebuild and rebuild and maybe they don’t want that.”
He went on to say that he liked the “concept of a ceasefire” because people would stop being killed, but “we can work a deal where we’re working on a peace deal while they’re fighting”.
Pictured: Zelensky and Trump share a laugh
There have been little signs of tension between the two leaders so far, a stark contrast to their shouting match in the Oval Office in February.
In fact, the two leaders shared a laugh when the Ukrainian leader joked about a reporter – who previously criticised Mr Zelensky for his attire – wearing the same suit.
‘You look fabulous in that suit’
Donald Trump complimented Volodymyr Zelensky for wearing a formal outfit during their warm White House exchange today.
The US president smiled as he suggested his Ukrainian counterpart had dressed better for the occasion.
“I said the same thing,” Mr Trump said, when the same reporter who sparked a geopolitical crisis with his suit jibe said Mr Zelensky looked “fabulous”.
Brian Glenn’s loaded intervention in February turned the mood in the Oval Office sour, riled Mr Zelensky and set him on a collision course first with JD Vance, the US vice-president, and then the president himself.
Pictured: Zelensky delivers letter for Melania
Volodymyr Zelensky began his meeting with Donald Trump by handing over a letter from his wife to Melania Trump.
The Ukrainian leader thanked the first lady, who was not present, for writing a letter last week to Vladimir Putin raising concerns about children who had been kidnapped from Ukraine and sent to Russia.
“My thanks to your wife, the first lady of the United States,” Mr Zelensky told Mr Trump in the Oval Office. “She sent a letter to Putin about our children, abducted children, and my wife – the first lady of Ukraine – she gave a letter.”
He added, as the president took the letter: “It’s not to you, to your wife.”
Mr Trump, who hand delivered his wife’s letter to Putin, said she wrote a “beautiful letter” to the Russian leader and that she felt “very strongly” about the plight of Ukrainian children.
Trump refuses to rule out putting US troops in Ukraine
Donald Trump has twice refused to rule out putting American troops in Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.
“When it comes to security, there’ll be a lot of help,” Mr Trump says.
“We’re going to help them out, we’ll be involved,” he adds.
Shortly before the meeting started, Russia’s foreign ministry put out a statement rejecting the prospect of Nato troops being sent to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.
Trump asked: who has the cards?
Mr Trump is then asked “who holds the cards” after meeting both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.
“I don’t want to say that,” the US president replies, adding that he just wants to “stop the killing”.
Zelensky thanks Trump
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky are speaking side-by-side in the Oval Office in a scene reminiscent of their showdown back in February.
The Ukrainian leader starts by thanking the US president for his efforts to “stop the killing” and for the invite to the White House.
Zelensky arrives at the White House
Volodymyr Zelensky has been greeted by Donald Trump at the White House.
The pair shake hands, pose for photos, before heading inside.
Russia rejects Nato troops in Ukraine
Just as Donald Trump prepares to greet Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, Russia has put out a statement rejecting the idea of Nato troops being stationed in Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.
Russia’s foreign ministry singled out the UK as putting out “provocative” statements about plans for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
“At a time when there is a genuine push for a comprehensive, fair, and lasting resolution to the conflict around Ukraine, including addressing its root causes, statements continue to emerge from London that not only contradict the efforts of Moscow and Washington, but also appear aimed at undermining them,” the ministry said.
Air raid sirens sound over Kyiv
As the White House greeted Europe’s leaders, air raid sirens sounded over Kyiv.
The Ukrainian air force said on social media an air alert was triggered across the country because a Russian MiG-31 was detected taking off, capable of carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles that Moscow has been using in attacks.
Macron and Merz last to arrive
Friedrich Merz and Emmanuel Macron, the respective leaders of Germany and France, are the last to arrive at the White House.
The German chancellor was slightly delayed in arriving, meaning there is an overall delay to the schedule.
With most of the European leaders now in place, we should be seeing Volodymyr Zelensky soon. His team, including top adviser Andriy Yermak, is already inside the White House.
‘We need peace’: Zelensky’s last message before Trump meeting
Volodymyr Zelensky has just posted a statement on Twitter, just before he is scheduled to meet Donald Trump at the White House.
He said:
Our main goal is a reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe. And it is important that the momentum of all our meetings lead to precisely this result. We understand that we shouldn’t expect Putin to voluntarily abandon aggression and new attempts at conquest. That is why pressure must work, and it must be joint pressure – from the United States and Europe, and from everyone in the world who respects the right to life and the international order. We must stop the killings, and I thank our partners who are working toward this and ultimately toward a reliable and dignified peace. Together with the leaders of Finland, the United Kingdom, Italy, the European Commission, and the NATO Secretary General, we coordinated our positions ahead of the meeting with President Trump. Ukraine is ready for a real truce and for establishing a new security architecture. We need peace.
Stubb, Trump’s golf buddy, next to arrive
Alexander Stubb, who has grown close to Mr Trump through a mutual love of golf, is the next to arrive at the White House.
We’re just waiting for Emmanuel Macron, the French president, and Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor.
‘Do you know who I am?’
The White House press room has already taken on the air of a circus. It is cramped at the best of times, but on a day when a rash of foreign leaders will meet with President Donald Trump, it has to contend with competing international press corps, their camera gear and their egos.
“Do you know who I am?” snorted a White House member of staff pushing through the throng at the entry gate this morning. No, was the honest answer, but he still managed to barge his way to the head of a fractious queue, as press corps old timers rolled their eyes.
Space is at a particular premium in front of the West Wing entrance where the Ukrainian president will be greeted by Mr Trump shortly. Photographers were staking out places with their stepladders four hours ahead of time.
Officials have taken pains to manage expectations about what will come out of today’s talks. But that hasn’t stopped the world’s media from turning out en masse for what will be a huge day at the White House.
Starmer arrives at the White House
Sir Keir Starmer is the next to arrive at the White House after Mark Rutte and Ursula von der Leyen.
In the livestream at the top of this page, we just heard that “Italy is next”, meaning Giorgia Meloni should appear in the next few minutes.
Zelensky to wear ‘military suit’, says designer
Volodymyr Zelensky will wear a military suit to his meeting with Donald Trump, his adviser Elvira Gasanova has told Politico.
This time the President [Zelensky] will be in a suit,” she said, though added that “the style still remains in a military key with the same symbolism: he is the Head of State, which is at war”.
“Just as Donald Trump prepares to greet Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, Russia has put out a statement rejecting the idea of Nato troops being stationed in Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.
Russia’s foreign ministry singled out the UK as putting out “provocative” statements about plans for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine.”
They are invaders. They have no say in who goes to Ukraine. The brass neck of these Nazi filth is just unbelievable.
“There was one big win from that Trump-Zelensky face-off for the European contingent: Explicit, public promises from the US President of security guarantees.”
I remember someone last week publicly stating to place sanctions on mafia land if they didn’t agree to a ceasefire. Statements mean fuck all, it is actions that Ukraine need.
New security agreements for Ukraine………………………….boring,…….boring…………boring…………we have seen that movie 3x before………………………..boring……….
No, the United States can never be trusted again to give anyone a security guarantee. The Budapest Memorandum is proof enough. A president like taco is also more than enough proof. No, never again. Ukraine needs nukes as security.
These new Flamingo missiles might persuade putler to stop his war while he still has oil refineries left.
Let’s hope those missiles will be ready for use soon, and in sufficient numbers. I demand to see more refineries and oil depots going up in smoke.