Washington, DC, August 18, 2025 (Agencies) — In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic pressure, U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept key Russian demands—including ceding Crimea and abandoning NATO aspirations—as a prerequisite for ending the war in Ukraine.
Zelensky arrived in Washington on Sunday, joined by European leaders including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The multilateral presence underscores growing concern over Trump’s unilateral negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who met with Trump in Alaska last week.
According to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Putin signaled openness to a post-war security framework for Ukraine, including “land swaps” and non-NATO guarantees5. However, Zelensky has voiced skepticism, warning that any deal must be stronger than past failed assurances. “Peace must be lasting—not like before, when Ukraine gave up Crimea and part of Donbas only for Putin to prepare new attacks,” Zelensky stated on X.
Trump’s shift away from ceasefire negotiations toward a comprehensive peace agreement has drawn criticism from Kyiv and its allies. European leaders are expected to push back against any settlement that involves territorial concessions, emphasizing Ukraine’s sovereignty and constitutional prohibition against ceding land.
The White House meeting marks Zelensky’s first return to the Oval Office since a contentious February encounter with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, which devolved into public confrontation8. Today’s talks are seen as pivotal in shaping the trajectory of the war and the future of Ukraine’s security architecture.
Trump has hinted that a successful outcome could lead to a follow-up summit with Putin, stating, “If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of people’s lives will be saved”.