Will meet Trump on Aug 18: Ukraine Prez Zelensky reaffirms will to work to achieve peace

August 16, 2025

New Delhi: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday reaffirmed that Ukraine remains committed to working with maximum effort to achieve peace. He also announced that he will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, on Monday (August 18) to discuss in detail the prospects of ending the war and the ongoing violence.

This development comes after President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a high-stakes meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. While the talks were described as “making progress”, no concrete deal was reached.

The meeting marked the first visit of a Russian head of state to the United States in nearly a decade and the first face-to-face dialogue between American and Russian leaders since 2021.

Zelensky’s Communication with Trump
President Zelensky shared details of his recent communication with President Trump on social media platform ‘X’. He noted a substantive call lasting over an hour and a half, including one-on-one discussions with Trump, and expressed support for a proposed trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia.

Zelensky confirmed his upcoming meeting with President Trump in Washington to discuss ending the war, emphasizing the importance of European involvement for reliable security guarantees. He thanked partners helping coordinate Ukraine’s positions.

White House and International Response
The White House confirmed Trump spoke to Zelensky following the Alaska summit and was also in contact with NATO leaders. Despite the high-profile engagement with Putin, Trump secured no breakthrough to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, reiterating, “there’s no deal until there’s a deal.”

Putin’s Position on Peace Talks
Putin claimed an “understanding” with Trump on Ukraine but warned Europe not to obstruct progress. He stated that Russia is interested in ending the conflict, emphasizing the need to resolve the root causes and affirming readiness to work on Ukraine’s security.

Earlier, on August 15, Zelensky expressed hope that the Alaska meeting could pave the way for meaningful trilateral discussions, stressing a just peace and substantive dialogue between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.