Zelensky Heads to Washington to Discuss Ending the War with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit Washington on Monday to engage in discussions with US President Donald Trump regarding a pathway to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This announcement came after a significant phone call between the two leaders on Saturday, August 16, during which Trump summarized his recent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Zelensky expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet with Trump, emphasizing the importance of addressing the violence and turmoil caused by the war. "On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war," Zelensky stated. Their earlier conversation was described as substantial, beginning as a private dialogue before other European leaders joined in. The upcoming meeting occurs just three days after Trump's talks with Putin, which did not produce any announcements regarding a ceasefire or concrete steps toward resolving the over three-year-long Russian invasion. In the wake of the US-Russia summit, Zelensky called upon Ukraine's European allies to be engaged in every phase of the negotiations. He reiterated Ukraine's readiness for a trilateral meeting involving himself, Trump, and Putin—an arrangement that Ukraine believes is necessary for addressing crucial issues directly at the leadership level. However, the Kremlin has shown reluctance towards this proposal. Zelensky stated, "Key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this." In addition to Trump, the conversation following his dialogue with Putin also included British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. After their discussions, European leaders participated in a secondary call to strategize the subsequent steps concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The anticipation surrounding Zelensky's meeting with Trump captures the urgency and complexity of the geopolitical landscape. The outcome of these discussions could hold significant implications not only for Ukraine but also for international relations in the region. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2