Catching Up: Trump Meets with Zelensky and European Leaders

While European leaders expressed cautious optimism about Trump’s ability to break a diplomatic deadlock and secure security guarantees for Ukraine, significant disagreements remain.

Terrence Dorsey

Aug 19, 2025

Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times

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Date: August 19, 2025
Topic: Diplomatic Efforts to End the Russia-Ukraine War, focusing on US President Trump’s role and European responses.
Summary: A series of high-stakes diplomatic meetings involving US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and various European leaders took place in mid-August 2025. The primary objective was to advance peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, with a focus on establishing direct negotiations between Putin and Zelensky. While European leaders expressed cautious optimism about Trump’s ability to break a diplomatic deadlock and secure commitments for future security guarantees for Ukraine, significant disagreements remain regarding ceasefire preconditions, territorial concessions, and the nature of US involvement. Discussions also highlighted the differing approaches to Russia within the Republican Party and the symbolic significance of Zelensky’s diplomatic tactics.

Sources

Key Points

All articles highlight President Trump’s central role in initiating and driving the peace process, particularly his direct engagements with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and his ambition to broker a deal.
A key outcome emphasized across articles is the agreement, announced by the White House, for a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelensky, potentially followed by a trilateral meeting with Trump.
The importance of postwar security guarantees for Ukraine is a recurring theme, with European leaders and Zelensky seeking assurances, and Trump indicating US “coordination” or “help” with these, primarily through air support, while European nations would provide ground presence.
European leaders showed a united front in their support for Ukraine and their coordinated approach to engaging with Trump, aiming to prevent a one-sided deal and ensure Ukraine’s voice is heard.
Despite diplomatic efforts, there’s widespread skepticism about the immediate prospects for a lasting peace, given the deep disagreements between Russia and Ukraine and concerns about Putin’s sincerity.
Articles note that Russia continued deadly attacks on Ukraine even during the diplomatic meetings, underscoring the ongoing conflict despite peace efforts.

Unique Highlights

Zelensky’s Tactical Shift (CNN): CNN focuses on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s change in attire from military-style clothing to a suit, symbolizing a deliberate tactical shift in his approach to President Trump after a contentious February meeting. It details the specific interactions with a pro-Trump reporter and the gift of a golf club.
Macron’s Candid Skepticism (NBC News): While other articles mention general skepticism, NBC News provides a direct quote from French President Emmanuel Macron expressing his disbelief in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s current willingness for peace and his insistence on increased sanctions against Russia if talks fail.
Republican Divisions on Russia (The Washington Post): This article uniquely details the emerging divisions within the Republican Party regarding the approach to Russia, with some key figures like Senator John Thune, Senator Lindsey Graham, and Senator Ted Cruz advocating for a harder line and potential sanctions, contrasting with President Trump’s apparent eagerness to ease tensions. It also highlights Representative Don Bacon’s concern about Trump’s treatment of Putin versus Zelensky.
Trump’s Private Remarks (The New York Times): The New York Times reports on President Trump being overheard on an open microphone telling President Emmanuel Macron, “I think he wants to make a deal for me. Do you understand that? As crazy as it sounds,” offering a glimpse into Trump’s personal perspective on Putin’s motivations.
Putin’s Election Interference Claim (Fox News): Fox News uniquely reports on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement during a joint press conference with Trump, confirming that he would not have invaded Ukraine if Trump had not lost the 2020 election.

Contrasting Details

Ceasefire as Precondition for Talks:
- The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post (“Republicans in Congress take a harder line”) state that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz advocated for a ceasefire as a precondition for peace talks, with Merz saying he “can’t imagine that the next meeting would take place without a ceasefire.”
- The New York Times, The Washington Post (“Republicans in Congress take a harder line”), and The Wall Street Journal all note that President Trump abandoned his demand for a ceasefire as a precondition and agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin that wars can be solved while hostilities are taking place.
US Troop Presence for Security Guarantees:
- The Washington Post (“Trump offers ‘assurance’ U.S. won’t send ground troops to Ukraine”) and The Wall Street Journal quote President Trump definitively stating that the U.S. will not send ground troops to Ukraine for peacekeeping, with the U.S. role being “by air” and Europeans providing ground presence.
- The New York Times mentions UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasizing Trump’s “openness to an American role” in a multinational peacekeeping force, without specifying limitations on ground troops at that point.
Sanctions on Russia:
- NBC News quotes French President Emmanuel Macron advocating for increasing sanctions (secondary and primary) on Russia if talks fail or Russia doesn’t comply.
- The Washington Post (“Republicans in Congress take a harder line”) highlights that President Trump backed away from imposing more sanctions on Russia after meeting with Putin, stating, “Because of what happened today, I don’t have to think about that now.” However, the same article also details that Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senator Lindsey Graham are prepared to impose sanctions.
Optimism vs. Skepticism on Putin’s Intentions:
- Fox News and The Washington Post (“Trump offers ‘assurance’ U.S. won’t send ground troops to Ukraine”) emphasize President Trump’s belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to make a deal, with Trump saying Putin and Zelensky are “getting along a little better than I thought.”
- NBC News features French President Emmanuel Macron’s strong skepticism, stating, “I don’t see President Putin very willing to get peace now.” The New York Times quotes Gérard Araud describing the outcomes as “triumph of empty vagueness and meaningless commitments.” The Wall Street Journal also highlights widespread skepticism about Putin honoring promises and suggests his demands might be calculated to produce Ukrainian rejection.

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