Trump says US to back Ukraine security guarantees as European leaders press for ceasefire 

Trump signals shift on Ukraine

Trump told reporters,  “When it comes to security, there’s going to be a lot of help. They are a first line of defence because they’re there, but we’ll help them out.”

He added that a ceasefire was not necessary before talks, “I wish they could stop, I’d like them to stop. But strategically that could be a disadvantage for one side or the other.”

Zelenskyy welcomes “signal” from Washington

Zelenskyy said their one-on-one meeting had been “very good”. He told reporters, as quoted by CNN: “This is very important, that the United States gives such a strong signal and is ready for security guarantees.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, seated from background left, France’s President Emmanuel Macron and President listen during a meeting in the East Room of the White House, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo)

• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday’s meeting with Trump could be a “historic step” for Ukraine and Europe’s security.

“I think we could take a really important step forward today, a historic step actually could come out of this meeting in terms of security for Ukraine and security in Europe,” Starmer said during a meeting with Trump and European leaders at the White House.

• French President Emmanuel Macron: 

French President Emmanuel Macron offers an idea, a European leader at the table as well. “I think as a follow up, we would need probably a quadrilateral meeting. Because when we speak about security guarantees, we speak about the whole security of the European continent,” he said.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron, left, and President Donald Trump speak during a meeting in the East Room of the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo)

It seems unlikely Trump will warm to that idea, at least in the near term, as he works toward ending the war.

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

When Trump met with Putin in Alaska last week, it opened a path for more serious negotiations, the German leader said. Merz reiterated that the European leaders are eager to see a ceasefire before more talks are held something Trump has questioned whether “it’s necessary.”

• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said: “Italy stands with Ukraine and with Europe on this. Security guarantees are essential for peace to hold.”

• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte:

 Trump offering US support in security guarantees for Ukraine was a “breakthrough” to securing peace, Rutte said. He also thanked Trump for “breaking the deadlock” and bringing Putin to the table.

• Finnish President Alexander Stubb 

Finnish President Alexander Stubb praised US President Donald Trump for the progress made in talks to resolve Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Stubb noted that “in the past two weeks, we’ve probably had more progress in ending this war than we have in the past three and a half years” during a meeting with Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and other European leaders.

Stubb also highlighted Finland’s unique position, sharing an over 800-mile border with Russia and having been an autonomous part of the Russian empire from 1809 to 1917.

(With inputs from agencies)

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