Russian President Vladimir Putin has told President Donald Trump he will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy within the next two weeks, according to Agence France-Presse, which cited German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
“The American president spoke with the Russian president and agreed that there would be a meeting between the Russian president and the Ukrainian president within the next two weeks,” Merz told reporters after Monday’s White House talks, AFP reported.
Zelenskyy, for his part, said he is ready to meet with Putin to end the war in Ukraine, AFP added.
Trump shared his reaction to Monday’s meeting on TRUTH Social:
I had a very good meeting with distinguished guests, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, President Emmanuel Macron, of France, President Alexander Stubb, of Finland, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, of Italy, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, of the United Kingdom, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Friedrich Merz, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, in the White House, which ended in a further meeting in the Oval Office. During the meeting we discussed Security Guarantees for Ukraine, which Guarantees would be provided by the various European Countries, with a coordination with the United States of America. Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine. At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy. After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself. Again, this was a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, are coordinating with Russia and Ukraine. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
One Zelenky ask Russia shot down? NATO serving as a peacekeeper in Ukraine.
According to Fox News, Russia’s Foreign Ministry flatly rejected the idea of NATO peacekeepers in Ukraine — a proposal backed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European allies during U.S.-brokered talks.
“We confirm our categorical rejection of any scenarios involving a NATO contingent in Ukraine, which would risk uncontrolled escalation with unpredictable consequences,” the ministry said in a statement carried by state media outlet RIA.
President Donald Trump has floated the idea of a European-led peacekeeping force to ensure Russia does not invade again. Asked whether the U.S. would contribute troops, Trump replied: “[Europe is] first line of defense, because they’re there, they’re Europe — but we’re going to help them out also, we’ll be involved.”
🚨 BREAKING: “The Putin – Zelenskyy meeting will happen within two weeks,” according to the German chancellor, reports Fox’s @BretBaier pic.twitter.com/H2S1RqjN6X
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) August 18, 2025
