Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared headed toward a peace summit following fast-moving discussions in Washington. US President Donald Trump, who has vowed to swiftly end the conflict, held talks on Monday with European leaders and later revealed that he had spoken by phone with Putin after meeting Zelenskyy at the White House.
If it takes place, the summit would mark the first direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly three and a half years ago. Trump, writing on Truth Social, said, “Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine.”
During a closed-door session, Trump hosted seven European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The talks focused on long-term security guarantees for Kyiv.
‘I think he wants to make a deal, you understand? As crazy as it sounds’
Trump caught talking on hot mic BEFORE ‘official’ meeting with European leaders pic.twitter.com/rA3AoiMz8V
— RT (@RT_com) August 18, 2025
A hot mic picked up Trump telling Macron that he believed Putin was ready for compromise. “I think he [Russian President Vladimir Putin] wants to make a deal… I think he wants to make a deal for me, you understand that? As crazy as it sounds,” Trump was overheard saying.
Zelenskyy ‘Ready’ to Meet Putin
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Zelenskyy confirmed he was prepared for a one-on-one meeting with Putin. “Ready,” he said, signalling openness to direct dialogue despite years of bitter conflict.
In Moscow, a Kremlin aide stated that Putin was open to the “idea” of direct talks.
While Trump’s summit with Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, last week did not yield a ceasefire, his subsequent push has intensified efforts toward negotiations. Zelenskyy rushed to Washington for talks with Trump, which were described as their “best” meeting yet. The Ukrainian leader noted the discussion carried little of the previous tensions that had erupted earlier in the year.
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European leaders’ participation underscored Western unity in backing Kyiv’s security needs, even as Trump pressed Zelenskyy toward potential concessions.
