Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting Live Updates: Trump Hints at US Troop Support for Ukraine and Eastern Europe, Promises Strong Security Backing
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is in Washington accompanied by top European leaders aiming to secure stronger US backing after Trump's Alaska summit with Putin. Key issues on the table include NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine, the fate of Crimea and Donbas, and a push for a comprehensive peace deal rather than just a ceasefire. European leaders have stressed on the importance of Ukraine's defense for Europe's future security.
Today’s White House meeting is bringing together Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key European leaders as they project unity to persuade US President Donald Trump to take a tougher stance against Russia. Following Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week in Alaska, European leaders, including France’s Macron, Britain’s Starmer, and EU’s von der Leyen are in Washington DC to ensure Ukraine’s security and territorial integrity remain non-negotiable. With talks focussing on security guarantees, Crimea’s future, and a potential peace deal, the stakes have never been higher for Ukraine and European stability. Stay tuned with NewsX for all the breaking and LIVE news updates from the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting happening at the White House today.
Key Highlights:
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and several European leaders are meeting Trump to show a united front against Russian aggression.
- Discussion is focussed on NATO-like security guarantees for Ukraine, with Putin reportedly open to such guarantees but opposed to Ukraine joining the NATO.
- Trump has suggested that Ukraine may have to accept Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and the loss of Donbas for peace.
- European leaders, including Macron and Starmer, emphasised Ukraine as key to European security and warned against weakness toward Russia.
- Trump appears to have shifted strategy from ceasefire to pursuing a long-term peace deal aligning more closely with Putin’s approach.
- Fighting is continuing on the ground with recent deadly Russian drone strikes hitting Kharkiv, killing civilians including children.
- European leaders attending the meeting include France’s Macron, UK’s Starmer, Germany’s Merz, Italy’s Meloni, Finland’s Stubb, EU’s von der Leyen, and NATO’s Rutte.
- The meeting is seen as a critical moment to either advance peace efforts or risk escalating conflict.
Live Updates
- 02:45 (IST) 19 Aug 2025
Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting Live Updates: Italian PM Caught on Hot Mic Praising Trump During White House East Room Q&A
During a White House East Room session, after President Trump, President Zelenskyy, and seven European leaders answered reporters’ questions around a table, a hot microphone picked up Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni telling Trump, “Thank you for being so fair,” along with additional remarks.
- 01:41 (IST) 19 Aug 2025
Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting Live Updates: Zelensky Shares Battlefield Insights with Trump Using Detailed Map
During a private session, President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reviewed a large map illustrating the ongoing Russian invasion.
The map highlighted Moscow’s control over various regions in Ukraine’s eastern provinces, or oblasts.
Later, Zelensky joked about the map while meeting with European leaders. “I showed the president a lot of details on the battlefield — on the map,” he said. “Thank you for the map, by the way. It’s great. I’m thinking how to take it back.”
- 00:56 (IST) 19 Aug 2025
Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting Live Updates: Trump Holds Private Talks with European Leaders on Ukraine Conflict
After delivering public statements on the ongoing war in Ukraine, President Trump and European leaders proceeded to the private segment of their meeting.
- 00:48 (IST) 19 Aug 2025
Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting Live Updates: Zelensky Calls Trump Talks “Best Yet”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump as their “best conversation” to date. “I think that we had a very good conversation with President Trump, very good. And it really was the best one,” Zelensky said.
He added, “Maybe the best one will be in the future, but it was really good,” signaling optimism about ongoing diplomatic discussions.
Zelensky also suggested that he would welcome Trump’s participation in a potential future meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, if such a direct dialogue were to take place.
- 00:27 (IST) 19 Aug 2025
Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting Live Updates: Trump, Macron, Zelenskyy And Other EU Leaders Pose at White House
At the White House, President Donald Trump and his guests posed for cameras in a display of unity. French President Emmanuel Macron stood to Trump’s left, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was positioned to his right.
During the lineup, Trump drew attention to a painting showing him pumping his fist after surviving an assassination attempt during last year’s presidential campaign. “That was not a good day. Not a great day. See the picture?” he remarked.
