US president Donald Trump on Monday said that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy could ‘end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to,’ as Zelenskyy landed in the US for a meeting with Trump.
The US president added that Kyiv must not seek Nato membership and that Crimea, annexed under former US president Barack Obama, would not be returned.
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight. Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and no going into Nato by Ukraine. Some things never change!"
Trump further said he was preparing for a major day at the White House with several European leaders . “Never had so many European leaders at one time. My great honour to host them!!!” he wrote. In another post, he added, “The fake news will say that it is a big loss for president Trump to host so many great European leaders at our beautiful White House. Actually, it is a great honour for America!!!”
The comments came ahead of a crucial meeting on Monday with Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian president will be joined by top European leaders and Nato.
Also read: 'Putin unable to take Donetsk for 12 years': Zelenskyy's strong pitch on ceding territory day before Trump talks; 'need US on our side'
Meanwhile, on his arrival in Washington, Zelenskyy said he was “grateful to president Trump for the invitation.” He stressed that peace “must be lasting, not like it was years ago, when Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea and part of Donbas.”
“Russia must end this war, which it itself started,” he said, expressing confidence that Ukraine, with support from the US and Europe, could force Moscow into “a real peace.”
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen , Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, French president Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte have also announced their participation. UK prime minister Keir Starmer will be part of the delegation too, Downing Street said in a statement.
The joint visit comes just days after Trump met Russian president Vladimir Putin in a summit where Zelenskyy was not present. That meeting raised concerns in Kyiv and across Europe that Washington might push Ukraine towards a peace deal favouring Moscow.
European and Nato leaders are now making a collective effort to stand alongside Zelenskyy, to avoid a repeat of his tense February meeting with Trump, where Trump rebuked Zelenskyy on camera.
Putin- Trump meet
Trump on Friday, had a nearly three-hour meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The US president said that they agreed on lots of point and they are pretty close to make a deal.
After the meeting, Trump said that the onus was now on Volodymyr Zelenskyy to secure a deal and bring the war to a complete end.
Trump Zelenskyy's February meet
The meeting at the Oval office in February ended up in a televised heated confrontation. Trump blamed Zelenskyy for prolonging the war and threatened him he would withdraw the support to Kyiv. The meeting was followed by weeks of sharp exchanges.
The US president added that Kyiv must not seek Nato membership and that Crimea, annexed under former US president Barack Obama, would not be returned.
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight. Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and no going into Nato by Ukraine. Some things never change!"
Trump further said he was preparing for a major day at the White House with several European leaders . “Never had so many European leaders at one time. My great honour to host them!!!” he wrote. In another post, he added, “The fake news will say that it is a big loss for president Trump to host so many great European leaders at our beautiful White House. Actually, it is a great honour for America!!!”
The comments came ahead of a crucial meeting on Monday with Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian president will be joined by top European leaders and Nato.
Also read: 'Putin unable to take Donetsk for 12 years': Zelenskyy's strong pitch on ceding territory day before Trump talks; 'need US on our side'
Meanwhile, on his arrival in Washington, Zelenskyy said he was “grateful to president Trump for the invitation.” He stressed that peace “must be lasting, not like it was years ago, when Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea and part of Donbas.”
“Russia must end this war, which it itself started,” he said, expressing confidence that Ukraine, with support from the US and Europe, could force Moscow into “a real peace.”
I have already arrived in Washington, tomorrow I am meeting with President Trump. Tomorrow we are also speaking with European leaders. I am grateful to @POTUS for the invitation. We all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably. And peace must be lasting. Not…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 18, 2025
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen , Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, French president Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte have also announced their participation. UK prime minister Keir Starmer will be part of the delegation too, Downing Street said in a statement.
The joint visit comes just days after Trump met Russian president Vladimir Putin in a summit where Zelenskyy was not present. That meeting raised concerns in Kyiv and across Europe that Washington might push Ukraine towards a peace deal favouring Moscow.
European and Nato leaders are now making a collective effort to stand alongside Zelenskyy, to avoid a repeat of his tense February meeting with Trump, where Trump rebuked Zelenskyy on camera.
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Putin- Trump meet
Trump on Friday, had a nearly three-hour meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The US president said that they agreed on lots of point and they are pretty close to make a deal.
After the meeting, Trump said that the onus was now on Volodymyr Zelenskyy to secure a deal and bring the war to a complete end.
Trump Zelenskyy's February meet
The meeting at the Oval office in February ended up in a televised heated confrontation. Trump blamed Zelenskyy for prolonging the war and threatened him he would withdraw the support to Kyiv. The meeting was followed by weeks of sharp exchanges.
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