Starmer and EU Leaders to Meet Trump and Zelensky at whit House.

By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1650 EAT on Sunday 17 August 2025

A high-level virtual meeting bringing together NATO leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now underway, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Macron opened the session by thanking all participants, with special recognition given to those joining from outside Europe, including Australia and Japan.

“We have several objectives,” Macron said, noting that one key aim is to strategize ahead of Zelensky’s visit to Washington, D.C., scheduled for tomorrow.

Among the leaders visible on the video call are UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and German opposition leader Friedrich Merz. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also present, seated to Zelensky’s left.

The final question at the press conference came from a Ukrainian journalist, who asked President Volodymyr Zelensky what form of security guarantees he considers acceptable—and whether he fears a repeat of the tense exchange that occurred during his February visit to the Oval Office.

In response, Zelensky acknowledged that the financial backbone of any security guarantees will likely come from Europe. However, he stressed that the United States still has a critical role to play in supporting Ukraine through other means.

He also reiterated the urgent need for a firm commitment to prevent continued Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory.

Regarding his upcoming White House visit, Zelensky expressed hope that the talks would be productive.

Following his remarks, both leaders left the podium for a closed-door meeting. Stay with us as we break down what was said and what it means for Ukraine’s next steps.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have fielded questions from journalists, including one asking whether they agree with Donald Trump’s recent statement that there is “no need” for a ceasefire and that peace negotiations should begin immediately.

Von der Leyen responded by emphasizing that the priority must be to “stop the killing.” She underscored the importance of initiating a “trilateral meeting” involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, while stressing the need to establish clear timelines for any diplomatic process.

Zelensky echoed her remarks, saying it is time to “push Russia toward real negotiations.” He added that Ukraine must now work closely with Trump and others to share resources and focus on achieving a “lasting peace.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed defence cooperation during their meeting, thanking her for continued support—particularly in the provision of drones—and for the latest round of sanctions imposed on Russia.

“Sanctions show we are serious,” Zelensky said, underscoring their importance in maintaining pressure on Moscow.

He added that the pair also spoke about preparations for the upcoming school year, with a focus on the safety and well-being of Ukrainian children.

“Our children are our future,” he concluded, before opening the floor to questions from journalists.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has presented “many demands,” though not all of them are known. “It will take time to go through them all—if there are as many as we’ve heard,” Zelensky told reporters, adding that such discussions are impossible to conduct under the current conditions of ongoing conflict.

He argued that a ceasefire is essential to create space for swift and meaningful negotiations, stating that talks should begin based on the current front line. “Real negotiations must start where the front line stands today,” he said.

Zelensky reaffirmed that the Ukrainian constitution prohibits ceding any territory, stressing that any discussion about Ukraine’s borders should take place directly between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia at a trilateral summit.

Turning to security, Zelensky emphasized the importance of binding guarantees from the United States alongside European commitments. “We need security guarantees that work in practice—like NATO’s Article 5,” he said, referring to the alliance’s collective defense clause that commits members to defend one another if attacked.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has begun his remarks by thanking the European Union for its continued support since the start of the war.

He highlighted the importance of maintaining a united front, saying, “It’s important that we speak together—and that Washington is with us.” Zelensky added that today’s discussions would help shape the agenda for his White House meeting tomorrow.

“This unity helps us move toward real peace,” he concluded.

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