Has the Russia-Ukraine conflict, now in its third year and sixth month, reached a turning point? The world’s attention was drawn to Washington D.C. on the afternoon of the 18th Eastern Time as U.S. President Donald Trump held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aimed at resolving the conflict. CNN described this as “the most critical moment in accelerating the process to end the conflict” since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. The BBC suggested that the White House meeting likely held greater significance for Ukraine’s future and European security as a whole than the U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska on the 15th.
The collective presence of leaders from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union, and NATO in Washington further underscored the significance of these talks. Western media analysts suggest that the participation of multiple European leaders served dual purposes: first, to demonstrate unity and ensure Europe maintains substantive influence in peace negotiations, preventing President Trump from tilting excessively toward Russia and safeguarding Ukraine against potential territorial concessions at the negotiating table; second, to mitigate risks of U.S. actions undermining European security interests while preserving the integrity of the transatlantic alliance. Additionally, European leaders sought clearer articulation of what specific security guarantees the United States is prepared to offer Ukraine.
However, U.S. media outlets, citing expert sources, indicated that Zelenskyy’s discussions with Trump at the White House would prove “challenging.” Notably, just prior to the talks, Trump declared that Ukraine would not be permitted to join NATO and that Crimea could not be reclaimed – statements that established a contentious prelude to the negotiations.
“Some things never change”
According to the latest White House schedule, Trump will welcome Zelensky outside the West Wing at 1:00 PM Eastern Time on the 18th, followed by bilateral talks. Around 2:30 PM, Trump will take a group photo with European leaders before holding multilateral discussions at 3:00 PM. AFP reports that prior to the White House meeting, European leaders held “preparatory talks” with Zelensky.
ABC reported that the officials accompanying Zelensky to the White House talks included European Commission President von der Leyen, German Chancellor Merz, British Prime Minister Starmer, French President Macron, Italian Prime Minister Meloni, Finnish President Stubb, and NATO Secretary General Rutte.
The German weekly Die Zeit noted on the 17th that observers believe Zelensky and his European allies’ participation in these multilateral talks with Trump aims to prevent a repeat of February’s fiasco during the U.S.-Ukraine presidential meeting. At that time, Trump and U.S. Vice President Vance publicly humiliated their guest Zelensky during the live broadcast and accused Ukraine of lacking gratitude for American support.
Prior to the White House talks, Trump appeared to have set the tone in advance. “Ukrainian President Zelensky could end the war with Russia almost immediately if he wants to, or he can keep fighting,” the U.S. President posted on Truth Social on the 17th. “Crimea lost during the Obama administration can never be regained, and Ukraine must never join NATO. Some things never change!!!”
Western media widely interpreted Trump’s statements as pressure on Zelensky. The New York Times reported that even before meeting with Putin, Trump had assured the Russian leader that Ukraine’s NATO membership application would be shelved indefinitely. He has repeatedly suggested that Ukraine’s bids to join NATO and the EU “invited” the invasion.
Zelensky posted on platform X on the 17th local time announcing his arrival in Washington that evening. “Russia must end this war,” Zelensky stated in the post. “I hope our combined strength with American and European friends will lead Russia toward genuine peace.”
A senior Ukrainian official told the Financial Times that Zelensky’s objective for these talks is to establish “a productive peace process while preventing Ukraine from being forced to take impossible steps, such as withdrawing troops from Donetsk and Luhansk.” Former Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Yeliseyev stated that Zelensky must “avoid emotional reactions” and even learn from Putin’s “cold-blooded pragmatism to align with (the U.S. President’s) interests and goals.” However, the report noted that some current and former officials from both the U.S. and Ukraine hold a more pessimistic view of the 18th talks, fearing Zelensky may struggle to shift the balance in Kyiv’s favor.
U.S. Envoy: Russia Agrees to NATO-like Security Guarantees for Ukraine
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio said in a Fox News interview on the 17th that key agenda items for the White House talks had been set, including border demarcation, long-term security assurances for Kyiv, and military alliances Ukraine could join. Rubio noted that both Russia and Ukraine would need to make concessions for a peace deal. He added, “The U.S. may be prepared to provide Article 5-like security guarantees—not through NATO, but directly from America and other European nations.” Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty is NATO’s collective defense clause, stipulating that an attack on any of its 32 member states is considered an attack on all.
U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs Witkov, in a CNN interview on the 17th discussing the U.S.-Russia summit, also mentioned that America and some European countries might offer Ukraine security guarantees akin to NATO’s Article 5. Russia’s acceptance of this provision serves as a “workaround” for its insistence that Ukraine never join NATO. Additionally, Moscow has agreed to legally commit—post-peace deal—to not seizing more Ukrainian territory or violating any European borders. However, CNN noted that Russian coverage of the summit omitted these pledges.
Zelensky hailed the potential U.S. participation in Ukraine’s security guarantees as a “historic decision” on social media, a move welcomed by the UK. But Russia’s Svobodnaya Pressa quoted military expert Knutov on the 18th, arguing that shifting guarantees from NATO to the U.S. and Europe was mere semantics: “If you look at NATO’s composition, it is the U.S. and EU.” He added, “They demand Russia legally ensure Ukraine’s security. Fine. But America, Europe, and Ukraine should equally guarantee Russia’s security—legally binding NATO against expansion, invasion threats, and so on. Reciprocity is key.”
According to a report by Russia’s TASS news agency on the 18th, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, stated on the 17th that while many EU leaders have emphasized the need for reliable security guarantees for Ukraine in any future peace agreement, Russia agrees with this position but maintains its right to expect equally effective security assurances for itself. He particularly stressed that such guarantees must prove more credible than the 1990s promise that “NATO would not expand eastward by a single inch.”
Persisting Divisions and Concerns Within Europe
“EU Demonstrates Solidarity with Ukraine,” reported Austrian Broadcasting Corporation on the 17th. Prior to the planned talks with Trump, Zelensky visited Brussels for discussions with European Commission President von der Leyen, followed by a video conference with the British-French-led “Volunteer Coalition” supporting Ukraine. The meeting focused on post-war security arrangements and long-term support for Ukraine.
ABC reported that Macron told journalists afterward that European leaders traveled to Washington both to support Zelensky and to “defend European interests” at this “extremely critical” moment for continental security. He stated that the framework for Western security guarantees to Ukraine would be a core topic in discussions with the U.S.
An 18th press release from the French presidency noted participants “welcomed President Trump’s commitment to providing security guarantees for Ukraine,” emphasizing the Volunteer Coalition’s key role in related arrangements. Europe stands ready to “deploy a stabilization force post-ceasefire to assist with Ukrainian airspace, maritime security and military reconstruction.” The New York Times observed this represents unprecedented specificity from Washington.
Le Monde reported European discussions about a “multi-tiered” security architecture: Some nations contemplate deploying “thousands” of personnel in Ukraine for training/logistics missions far from frontlines, alongside seeking U.S. agreement on NATO Article 5-like guarantees. However, internal European disagreements persist regarding Washington’s willingness to share substantive burdens.
“Europe won’t let Zelensky face Washington alone,” declared Germany’s Handelsblatt on the 18th, insisting no agreement should come at Europe’s expense. SPD parliamentary group vice-chair Möller asserted, “European participation is essential for meaningful negotiations about ending the war and establishing Europe’s future peace order.” Yet Russia expert Stefan Meister of the German Council on Foreign Relations remained skeptical: “Europe is too weak to influence Trump and will merely be informed about security decisions rather than shaping them.”
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