This was a much more friendly reception in the oval office for the Volodimir Zelenski Following the unprecedented quarrel at the previous appointment with Donald Trump 6 months ago with the “explosive” finale.
The US President, Donald Trump but also his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodimir Zelenski ‘Arrested’ smiling During their meeting at the White House on Monday night (18.08.2025) Greece.
According to CNN’s analysis, it was clear that the Ukrainian side had paid close attention to to ensure that the talks were not derailed.
Zelenski brought with him a letter to Trump from his wife and praised the message of the US First Lady, Melania Trump to Putin about children suffering during the war.
Following the attacks he had received by US Vice President Jay Di Vance, who had accused him of his last visit to Washington, the Ukrainian president said “thank you” four times in the first 10 seconds of his short speech!
Indeed, Zelenski was wearing a suit – apparently as a move to satisfy Trump who had openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the military uniform he had put in their last appointment.. The Ukrainian leader’s costume choice of course created a happy time at the start of the critical talks of the two leaders.
Unlike February, Trump’s delegation remained silent at Monday’s meeting. Vance, Foreign Minister Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkov were all sitting on the oval office couch, but this time they were “wise” …
The US president was also in a better mood, who in turn thanked his guest repeatedly.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanks US President Donald Trump for his “efforts” in trying to stop the war, ahead of talks at the White House.https://t.co/0WrFMYvhxa
Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/ZzT5CwTDMY
— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 18, 2025
The brief statements in front of the cameras have essentially evolved at a press conference that lasted about half an hour.
Do you remember this? Back in February 2025, Trump blamed Zelenskyy for not wanting a ceasefire.
Trump said:
“I want a ceasefire, because you get a ceasefire faster than an agreement.”What is Trump going to say tomorrow? Ceasefire is not needed? pic.twitter.com/u1L2vfJqiF
– Volodymyr Tretyak (@volodyatretyak) August 17, 2025
This time the atmosphere at the Oval Office was much more friendly than last February’s “explosive” dispute, the last time Zelenski was next to Trump.
Trump: I’ll call Putin
THE Donald Trump stated by having on his side the Volodimir Zelenski And before journalists at the Oval Office that he will have a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin After completing his encounters at the White House.
“We will have a telephone conversation right after today’s meetings. We will have perhaps, or maybe not, a tripartite meeting, “the US president confirmed.
He also said that he had just spoken to Putin indirectly.
During the joint statements with the Zelenskiand promised that the US would “get involved” in the future security of Ukraine.
“They are at the forefront of the defense, because it is down, it is Europe, but we will also help them. We will get involved, “the US president said before the media, referring to European leaders who accompany Volodimir Zelenski in Washington.
Trump reiterated Monday that if his meeting in Washington with his Ukrainian counterpart is going well, will organize a tripartite meeting with Vladimir Putinin order to end the conflict in Ukraine.
“We will have a meeting. I believe that if all goes well today, we will have a tripartite meeting and I believe that there will be a good chance of ending the war when we do it, “said the US state chief.
Trump, however, ruled that a ceasefire is not necessary to end the conflict.
“I don’t think it takes a truce,” he said.
“I know this could be good, but I also understand why they don’t want it strategically.”
Also Trumpwithout going into details, he said that the US would “get involved” in the future security of Ukraine, a matter that is considered critical by Kiev and Europeans, and announced that the Americans would undertake to train Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Zelenski for security guarantees
The president of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski He said that his country needs “everything” when asked by a journalist what security guarantees he needed to conclude.
He said that Ukraine first needs a strong army, which includes weapons, human resources, education and information.
He added that all this would depend on the “big countries”, such as the US and other allies.
He added that the Ukrainians are strong and that they support Trump’s plans to end the war in a “diplomatic way”.
In fact, he said he wanted to hold a trilateral meeting with the US President and Vladimir Putin.
‘We are ready for a trilateral meeting’
“We have to stop this war to stop Russia, and we need the support of our American and European partners.
We will do what we can.
We show that we are a strong people and supported President Trump’s idea of stopping this war. “
Adds: “We are ready for trilateral (meeting with Putin)”.
Shortly before, he said he was open to the possibility of elections in safe conditions if the war in Russia is ending.
THE Zelenski He said: “We have to work in parliament because during the war you cannot have elections”, adding that citizens should be given the opportunity to have a democratic, open, legal election.
The elections in Ukraine have been suspended at this time due to military law.