Trump Proposes Trilateral Peace Talks Following Putin and Zelensky Meetings
President Donald Trump announced that the White House is planning to arrange a "trilateral" meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to end the war between the two countries. In a post on Truth Social Monday evening, Trump said that his summit meeting with Zelenskyy and other European leaders on Monday was "very good" and that he called Putin afterward to arrange a meeting between them "at a location to be determined."
"After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself," the President added. "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!"
Donald J. Trump Truth Social 08.18.25 06:04 PM EST
— Fan Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) August 18, 2025
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…
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Zelensky said he is open to meeting with Putin, whether for the bilateral and trilateral meeting, Fox News reported.
"We confirmed that we are ready for a trilateral meeting," the Ukrainian President told reporters after the meeting. "And if Russia proposed to the President of the United States bilateral, and then we will see the result of the bilateral, then it can be trilateral. So I said, always, Ukraine will never stop on the way to peace, and we are ready for any kind of format, but on the level of leaders."
He also condemned Russia's latest strikes across Ukraine, which killed 10 people, prior to the meeting on Monday.
"The Russian war machine continues to destroy lives despite everything," Zelensky said. "That is precisely why we are seeking assistance to put an end to the killings. That is why reliable security guarantees are required. That is why Russia should not be rewarded for its participation in this war."
Trump's meeting with Zelensky comes days after he met with Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025 on Friday. The meeting, which lasted about 2.5 to three hours, did not end with a formal discussion on a ceasefire.
Related Article: What the Trump-Putin Meeting Means for Ukraine, the Church, and World Peace
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Win McNamee/Staff
Originally published August 19, 2025.
