Washington is gearing up for a pivotal meeting on August 18th as U.S. President Donald Trump hosts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with European leaders also invited to join the discussion.
NYT: Donald Trump Invites European Leaders to Washington
The New York Times reports that President Donald Trump has extended invitations to European leaders to attend a meeting in Washington on Monday, August 18. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed he will travel to the White House following Trump’s invitation. The agenda centers on reaching an agreement with Russia to halt the war in Ukraine and summarizing the U.S. president’s summit with President Vladimir Putin. Reporters cite two senior European officials for the inclusion of European leaders in the event, though details on who will attend and whether a Polish delegate will join remain unclear.
European Leaders Hold Discussions a Day Earlier
European heads of state, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, plan to convene a virtual conference on Sunday, August 17, to outline next stages in peace talks regarding the war in Ukraine. Following Trump’s meeting with Putin, European leaders released a joint statement praising the U.S. president’s actions aimed at ending the conflict. They emphasized that the next step should be a trilateral dialogue involving President Zelensky. The statement was signed by Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk among others.
Ukrainian President Prepares for White House Meeting
The August 18 meeting represents the first gathering since the March snub by Zelensky, Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance at the Oval Office. The U.S. leadership had criticized Zelensky for his lack of gratitude and for what they described as “improvisation” during negotiations, labeling his “unwavering stance” a potential trigger for a third world war. According to Reuters, Zelensky is returning to Washington under considerable pressure after Trump’s press conference with Putin. Trump stated on August 16 that he seeks a comprehensive settlement that Ukraine must accept, citing Russia’s overwhelming power and Ukraine’s vulnerability. After contacting Trump post-Aleutian meeting, Zelensky explained that withdrawing troops from occupied eastern Donetsk would be impossible. Reporters suggest Trump demanded a quick deal at all costs.
