Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday indicated that he was open to holding a three-way meeting with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to end the ongoing war. “We are ready for the trilateral meeting,” Zelenskyy said as he met US President Trump in the White House for the crucial meeting. Zelenskyy thanks Trump As the two leaders met at the Oval Office, Zelenskyy also thanked Trump for his "efforts to stop killings and stop this war," and for Melania Trump's letter to Putin asking him to protect children, and to the European partners for their support. Zelenskyy also handed Trump a letter from his wife to the US first lady. Putin, Zelenskyy want war to end: Trump President Trump said he knew that both Zelenskyy and Putin want to see an end to the ongoing war. “People are being killed and we want to stop that. So I would not say it’s the end of the road,” Trump said, adding that there’s a “good chance” of ending the war through these meetings. “I know the president, I know myself, and I believe Vladimir Putin wants to see it end,” Trump said. Security guarantee for Ukraine The US President also touched upon one of the biggest demands by Ukraine - a NATO-style security guarantee. “We’re going to be discussing it today,” Trump said. Trump to speak with Putin Trump who met Putin on Friday in Alaska to discuss ending the war, said the Russian leader was “expecting my call when we’re finished with this meeting” with Zelenskyy. "We're going to have a phone call right after these meetings today, and we may or may not have a trilat," Trump said. "If we don't have a trilat, then the fighting continues. And if we do, we have a good chance," he said. "I think if we have a trilat, there's a good chance of maybe ending it, but he's expecting my call when we're finished with this meeting." Zelenskyy's attire gets thumbs up Unlike their February meeting, which turned hostile quickly, both Trump and Zelenskyy appeared cordial throughout their interaction on Friday. Ahead of Zelenskyy’s arrival at the White House, one of the biggest talking points was what he would be wearing during his meeting with Trump. His casual attire during their February meeting had invited criticism, but on Monday, Brian Glenn, the journalist who criticized Zelenskyy for wearing military-style attire during his previous White House visit, complimented the Ukrainian president. "First of all, President Zelenskyy, you look fabulous in that suit," he said. Trump also joined in, saying, “I said the same thing.” When Trump reminded Zelenskyy that it was the same journalist “that attacked you last time,” the Ukrainian President said, “I remember that,” before pointing out that Glenn was wearing the same suit both then and now. Vance silent during meeting Another notable contrast between the February and the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting on Monday was Vice President JD Vance. Seated on a couch with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vance made no comments during the meeting as Trump and Zelenskyy interacted. President Donald J. Trump and President @ZelenskyyUa in the Oval Office. 🇺🇸🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/WTrSnKFzFM — The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 18, 2025 During the February meeting, Vance blasted Zelenskyy for being disrespectful and even warned him about future American support as the Ukrainian President was being ungrateful. Europe shows solidarity On Monday, Zelenskyy was joined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who accompanied him to the White House, as a symbolic display of solidarity with the Ukrainian leader ahead of his meeting with Trump.
