The air in the Oval Office was markedly different this time. Gone were the tensions of past encounters, replaced by a palpable sense of cautious optimism as U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met on August 19, 2025. The centerpiece of their discussions: a potential historic trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at negotiating an end to the devastating war in Ukraine.

This high-stakes diplomacy follows President Trump’s recent “very productive meeting” with Putin in Alaska, setting the stage for what could be a pivotal moment in modern geopolitics.

How Could a Trump-Putin-Zelensky Summit End the War in Ukraine?

The most significant development from the meeting was the mutual openness to a three-way summit. President Trump stated, “there is a good chance” of ending the conflict through such diplomacy, adding, “I know the president [Zelensky], I know myself, and I believe Vladimir Putin wants to see it end.” This aligns with prior reporting from the White House on Sunday, which confirmed Trump’s willingness to host talks in Alaska.

President Zelensky directly affirmed this path, stating, “We are ready for trilateral.” This represents a critical shift, signaling a potential willingness from all parties to move from the battlefield to the negotiating table. However, experts from institutions like the Council on Foreign Relations caution that any workable deal would require complex security guarantees for Ukraine and a mechanism for verifying any ceasefire, challenges that have stymied previous peace efforts.

Beyond the Headlines: Security, Elections, and a Noteworthy Suit

The meeting covered a broad agenda beyond the potential summit. Key points included:

Security Guarantees: When asked if he would rule out deploying U.S. troops to Ukraine, Trump deferred, stating, “We’ll let you know that, maybe, later today,” after consultations with European leaders. He emphasized that on security, “there’s going to be a lot of help,” suggesting a coordinated Western approach to any post-conflict security architecture.
Post-War Elections: President Zelensky expressed openness to holding elections in Ukraine, but only if a safe environment is achieved. “We need… a truce, yes, everywhere — the battlefield, the sky and the sea, to make it possible for people to do democratic open legal elections,” he explained.
A Lighter Moment: In a symbolic departure from a famously contentious prior visit, Zelensky arrived in a formal suit, drawing compliments and laughter from the press corps and President Trump himself, lightening the mood before serious discussions began.

The meeting also included a gathering with a powerful bloc of European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, underscoring that any peace framework will require broad international support.

The path to peace remains fraught with uncertainty, but the commitment to dialogue from Washington, Kyiv, and seemingly Moscow offers a fragile hope that has been absent for years. The world now watches to see if this diplomatic momentum can be translated into a lasting and just end to the conflict.

Must Know

Q: What was the main outcome of the Trump-Zelensky meeting?
A: The primary outcome was a mutual agreement to pursue a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both leaders expressed a strong belief that such a summit is the best chance to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.

Q: Where might the Trump-Putin-Zelensky meeting take place?
A: According to prior White House statements, the U.S. has proposed the state of Alaska as a potential host for the historic three-way summit between the leaders.

Q: Did President Trump promise to send troops to Ukraine?
A: No. President Trump explicitly did not rule out the possibility of deploying U.S. troops but deferred the decision, stating it would be discussed with European allies as part of a broader security framework.

Q: Is Ukraine willing to hold elections soon?
A: President Zelensky stated he is open to elections only if a comprehensive truce is achieved, making the environment safe for a democratic process. Elections are currently impossible under martial law.