Ukraine’s future could hinge on a hastily assembled meeting Monday at the White House as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy brings an extraordinary cadre of European leaders with him to show U.S. President Donald Trump a united front against Russia.
The European political heavy-hitters were left out of Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin last Friday in Alaska, and they're looking to safeguard Ukraine and the continent from any widening aggression from Moscow.
Monday’s showing is a sign both of the progress and the possible distress coming out of the Friday summit, as many of Europe’s leaders are descending on Washington with the explicit goal of protecting Ukraine’s interests, a rare and sweeping show of diplomatic force.
Here's the latest:
Sartorial diplomatic progress
Brian Glenn, a conservative reporter, told Zelenskyy that “you look fabulous in that suit.” Glenn had asked the Ukrainian leader about his clothing during his last visit to the Oval Office, implying that his casual dress was disrespectful.
Trump jumped in saying, “I said the same thing.” Turning to Zelenskyy, Trump said “that’s the one that attacked you last time.”
“I remember that,” Zelenskyy said as laughter rippled through the room.
Trump declines to rule out sending US troops to the Ukraine war zone
Speaking in the Oval Office, he noted it will be a discussion point with European leaders today.
Asked if he would rule out such a deployment, the president said, “We’ll let you know that, maybe, later today. We’re meeting with seven great leaders of great countries, also, and we’ll be talking about that.”
“They’ll all be involved,” he added. “When it comes to security, there’s going to be a lot of help.”
Zelenskyy signals openness to three-way meeting with Trump and Putin
Zelenskyy’s assent came after Trump said the three leaders could meeting of Monday’s White House meetings go well.
“We are ready for trilateral,” he said.
Such a meeting would be held to negotiate an end to Russia war against Ukraine.
Despite earlier comments, Trump says both Zelenskyy and Putin have to want the war to end
Asked by a reporter if it is the “end of the road” for U.S. support for Ukraine if no deal is struck, Trump said its “never the end of the road.”
“People are being killed and we want to stop that. So I would not say it’s the end of the road,” Trump said as Zelenskyy sat next to him shaking his head at the question. He added that there is a “good chance” of the ending the war through these meetings.
“I know the president, I know myself, and I believe Vladimir Putin wants to see it end,” Trump said.
Contrasts in Trump’s hosting of Putin and Zelenskyy
In just a span of a few days and thousands of mile apart, Trump has hosted the leaders of two nations embroiled in war.
At Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, dueling red carpets showed the way for both Trump and Putin to make their way to a platform emblazoned with “Alaska 2025,” where they briefly stood before taking Trump’s limousine to the meeting site. Trump arrived at the junction point first, waiting on Putin and greeting him warmly.
For Zelenskyy’s White House arrival Monday, Trump greeted the Ukrainian president at a threshold of the executive residence, after Zelenskyy’s motorcade wound its way up the driveway festooned with flags and lined with uniformed members of the U.S. military. After a handshake and pleasantries, Trump responded “we love them” as a reporter shouted a question about his message for Ukraine.
In both circumstances, Trump was host to the foreign leaders, welcoming them to U.S. soil.
Trump and Zelenskyy meeting begins
Trump said the meeting is “very import” and Zelenskyy thanks Trump for trying to end Russia’s war against his country.
Trump greets Zelenskyy
The U.S. president welcomed the Ukrainian leader at the door of the West Wing. Trump pumped his fist as Zelenskyy’s vehicle pulled up, then shook hands with him.
Asked by a reporter about his message for the Ukrainian people, Trump said “we love them.” Then they headed inside.
Bystanders in DC cheered as Zelenskyy’s motorcade left for meetings with Trump and European leaders
The black SUV marked with U.S. and Ukrainian flags on the hood pulled from its staging point on the street, headed for the White House where European leaders have already arrived.
Cheers were also heard outside the White House as Zelenskyy’s motorcade approached.
Schumer rips Trump on effort to nix mail-in voting
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says President Donald Trump’s call to do away with mail-in voting is an attempt to undermine democracy and restrict access to the ballot box.
Trump said in a social media post that was “going to lead a movement to get rid of MAIL-IN BALLOTS.” It was part of a longer post in which he said he would be issuing an executive order to “help bring HONESTY to the 2026 Midterm Elections.”
Schumer said any measure that would make it more difficult for Americans to vote will be dead on arrival in the Senate.
“Two facts: Donald Trump lost the 2020 election and vote by mail is safe, secure, and reliable,” Schumer said. “Let’s be clear - this is not based in fact or reality, but it is yet another way for Trump to silence Americans from using their voice in the democratic process and implement Jim Crow laws across America.”
All foreign leaders — except Zelenskyy — have arrived
They’re all in place at the White House, ahead of the Ukrainian president:
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
French President Emmanuel Macron
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni
Finnish President Alexander Stubb
White House adds finishing touches for Zelenskyy visit
A large Ukrainian flag is now positioned on one side of the entrance to the West Wing. An American flag is on the other side.
A military honor guard also has moved into position, its uniformed members lining the driveway.
Zelenskyy suits up — sort of
After wearing a T-shirt earlier in the day, Zelenskyy is dressed more formally for other meetings.
At the Ukrainian embassy in D.C., he greeted European leaders in a black shirt with buttons and a black blazer.
The last time he was at the White House, his casual clothing became a point of irritation for Trump.
European leaders have ‘coordinated’ their positions for ‘a reliable and lasting peace,’ Zelenskyy says
In a post on X, Zelenskyy said the European leaders had “coordinated” their positions before meeting Trump in the White House and that their main goal was “a reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe.”
“We shouldn’t expect Putin to voluntarily abandon aggression and new attempts at conquest,” Zelenskyy wrote. He also shared a video that showed the European leaders greeting each other and embracing at an earlier meeting in Washington.
“That is why pressure must work, and it must be joint pressure — from the United States and Europe, and from everyone in the world who respects the right to life and the international order.”
European leaders begin arriving at White House
Mark Rutte, NATO’s secretary general, was the first to arrive. Next up was Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, followed by Keir Starmer, the prime minister of the United Kingdom.
Zelenskyy is expected to be last.
An extremely large media presence awaits Zelenskyy at the White House
Scores of U.S. and international journalists have staked out spots facing the West Wing entrance, where Trump will greet Zelenskyy, more than an hour before the Ukraine leader’s scheduled 1p.m. ET arrival.
At the Eisenhower Executive Office Building opposite the West Wing, several dozen administration employees have gathered atop the staircase to watch.
U.S. flags blew in the breeze whipped up by Hurricane Erin and sirens blared in the distance. Security around the White House was increased for the occasion.
Putin reaches out to global leaders in run-up to Zelenskyy’s White House visit
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with the leaders of India, Brazil and South Africa Monday to discuss the results of talks between Russia and the U.S. in Alaska, the Kremlin said, just hours before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived to speak with President Donald Trump at the White House.
He also spoke with key allies, including leaders in Central Asia and Belarus’ Alexander Lukashenko, in a series of calls Monday and Sunday.
Putin made similar calls to world leaders following his meeting with special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff in early August. On that occasion, he also spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
European Council president announces video summit of European Union leaders for Tuesday
António Costa announced the meeting to discuss Monday’s White House meetings in a message on X.
He wrote: “Together with the US, the EU will continue working towards a lasting peace that safeguards Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.”
Further details of the meeting weren’t immediately announced.
Zelenskyy was expected to be accompanied in Washington by European political heavyweights French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni talks to reporters ahead of White House meeting
Meloni has long positioned herself as a “bridge” between the Trump administration and Europe and said the meeting was important because “finally” Russia had given a sign it was ready for dialogue.
In comments to reporters in Washington, Meloni said Moscow’s openness was thanks to the “situation of stall on the battlefield” that was due both to the courage of Ukrainians to fight but also the West’s united stand supporting Kyiv. She said she was pleased with the proposal of security guarantees for Ukraine inspired by NATO’s Article 5.
“Clearly we have to build, work on this. But the work we are doing today, from my point of view, is important work. Clearly there are no easy solutions when talking about ending a war and building peace. We have to explore all possible solutions to guarantee peace, to guarantee justice, and to guarantee security for our countries,” she said.
What will Zelenskyy wear for his meeting with Trump?
Zelenskyy’s decision to wear a long-sleeve t-shirt with a Ukrainian military insignia, instead of a suit, became a point of contention during his disastrous Oval Office encounter with Trump earlier this year.
Ahead of Monday afternoon’s meetings at the White House with Trump and European leaders, the Ukrainian leader met with Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, wearing a dark half-sleeve t-shirt, according to video of the engagement Zelenskyy posted on X.
Zelenskyy has set aside the typical uniform of the dark suit and tie since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of his country began in 2022. He’s said the choice is to show solidarity with soldiers fighting the Russian army.
But his clothing choice became an issue during the difficult February meeting with Trump.
“He’s all dressed up,” Trump said to reporters as he greeted Zelenskyy upon his arrival at the White House for the February meeting.
At the beginning of that last Oval Office meeting with Trump, a conservative journalist told Zelenskyy his attire was considered disrespectful by many Americans. Zelenskyy responded, in part, by saying, “I will wear a costume when this war is finished.”
Texas Democrats say they’re ending a two-week walkout over gerrymandered US House map plan
Texas Democrats say they’re ending a two-week walkout that stalled Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts to satisfy President Trump’s demands for a greater GOP advantage.
Democratic leaders say they’ll return for a second special legislative session after seeing California Democratic leaders proceed with plans to redraw their own U.S. House maps to neutralize Republican gains in Texas.
The nation’s two most populous states have been at the forefront of a national fight to reshape the congressional landscape ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Trump has sought to shore up Republicans’ narrow House majority and avoid a repeat of the 2018 midterms during his first presidency, when Democrats regained House control and used their majority to stymie his agenda and twice impeach him.
Downtown DC on alert as Trump hosts Ukraine talks
With Zelenskyy and several European leaders in town for hastily arranged meetings, the area around the White House bulged with security.
A line of black SUVs stretched up 16th Street from Lafayette Park. Motorcycle cops stood by.
Some roads were blocked off by police and dump trucks, and there were extra checkpoints to screen people approaching the White House.
Pennsylvania Avenue, usually crammed with tourists taking pictures of the north side of the president’s residence, was vacant.
Trump calls for Hamas to be ‘confronted and destroyed’ for hostage return
The U.S. president says the remaining hostages held in the Israel-Gaza war will only be released “when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!!”
“The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social site Monday morning.
Zelenskyy calls latest Russian attacks ‘demonstrative and cynical’
“Everyone wants a just peace and true security. And at this very moment, the Russians are striking Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy region, Odesa, residential buildings, and our civilian infrastructure,” he wrote.
Zelenskyy said the energy infrastructure object struck in Odesa belongs to an Azerbaijani company. “This is a blow to our relations (with Azerbaijan) and to energy independence.”
“The war must be brought to an end. And it is Moscow that must hear ‘stop,’” Zelenskyy said in conclusion.
Texas Republicans set to resume push Monday for redrawn US House maps
The redrawn district maps would carve out a bigger GOP advantage in the 2026 midterm elections after state Democrats indicated they were ready to end a two-week walkout.
In response, California Democrats are also moving ahead with their own reshaping of congressional districts to counteract Texas, putting in motion a potentially widening and unusually timed redistricting battle nationwide.
The redrawing began in Texas but has been stalled since dozens of Democrats, who are the minority in each chamber, left the state Aug. 3, with most of them going to Illinois. The absent lawmakers had signaled they were ready return to Austin after Republican Gov. Greg Abbott ended a first special session and California moved forward with its own plan.
Abbott put redistricting on the agenda at the urging of President Trump, who wants to shore up Republicans’ narrow U.S. House majority to avoid losing control of the chamber.
▶ Read more about the redistricting effort in Texas
Europe’s security is also at stake in the talks
European leaders see Ukraine’s fight as a bulwark against any Kremlin ambitions to threaten other countries in eastern Europe and beyond.
French President Emmanuel Macron described Ukraine as an “outpost of our collective defense if Russia wanted to advance again.”
“If we are weak with Russia today, we’ll be preparing the conflicts of tomorrow and they will impact the Ukrainians and — make no mistake — they can impact us, too.” Macron said Sunday.
The European political heavyweights expected in Washington are Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Ukraine won’t surrender land to Russia
Zelenskyy has rejected Putin’s demand that Ukraine surrender the Donbas region, made up of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, since the Ukrainian Constitution forbids giving up territory or trading land. That also means he can’t cede Crimea either.
Instead, freezing the front line — which snakes roughly 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from northeastern to southeastern Ukraine — seems to be the most the Ukrainian people might accept.
Russia currently holds about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Trump’s schedule, according to the White House
— 12 p.m. ET: European leaders will arrive at the White House
— 1 p.m.: Trump will greet and meet with Zelenskyy
— 2:15 p.m.: Trump will greet European leaders
— 3 p.m.: Trump will meet with European leaders
Putin wants the Donbas
As a condition for peace, the Russian leader wants Kyiv to give up the Donbas, the industrial region in eastern Ukraine that has seen some of the most intense fighting but that Russian forces have failed to capture completely.
In his Sunday night post, Trump wrote that Zelenskyy should also accept Russia’s illegal 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region.
As part of a deal, Putin has said the United States and its European allies can provide Ukraine with a security guarantee resembling NATO’s collective defense pledge, according to a senior U.S. official.
Trump envoy Steve Witkoff called that a “game-changing” step though he offered few details on how it would work.
Ukraine has long pressed for some kind of guarantee that would prevent Russia from invading again.
Trump previews executive order on voting
Ahead of a critical meeting with Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy, Trump made it clear he has other things also on his mind.
He said in a social media post Monday morning that he’ll be issuing an executive order to “help bring HONESTY to the 2026 Midterm Elections.”
Saying he will “lead a movement” to get rid of mail-in ballots and voting machines, Trump added in all-caps: “I, AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WILL FIGHT LIKE HELL TO BRING HONESTY AND INTEGRITY BACK TO OUR ELECTIONS.”
When Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, the two men agreed on the “dishonest” nature of using mail-in ballots, the U.S. president said.
“He said there’s not a country in the world that uses it now,” Trump said Putin told him of the process. Trump recounted that conversation during an interview with Fox News’s Sean Hannity.
Russia continued to pound Ukraine with missiles and drones ahead of Trump-Zelenskyy meeting
A Russian drone strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, killed six civilians late Sunday. Among the victims was a toddler and a 16-year-old, according to local officials. The strike also injured 20 people, including six children, authorities said.
Russian aerial attacks also targeted the northeastern Sumy region and the southern Odesa region.
In Zaporizhzhia, a city in the southeast, 17 people were injured in an attack Monday, according to regional head Ivan Fedorov.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched a total of four Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 140 Shahed and decoy drones across Ukraine overnight, of which 88 drones were intercepted or jammed.
Trump’s pre-meeting warning to Zelenskyy
Ahead of Monday’s critical meeting with Zelenskyy and other European leaders, Trump seemed to pressure the Ukrainian president to agree to concessions and suggested Ukraine could not regain Crimea.
Crimea was a part of Ukraine that Russia annexed in 2014, setting off an armed conflict that led to its broader 2022 invasion.
“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight,” Trump wrote Sunday night on social media. “Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!”
Attendance list for Zelenskyy’s White House meeting includes major European leaders
Key European leaders are gathering at the White House for President Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
They include:
-- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
-- French President Emmanuel Macron
-- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
-- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
-- Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni
-- Finnish President Alexander Stubb
-- NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte
On the table for discussion are possible NATO-like security guarantees Ukraine would need for any peace with Russia to be durable. Putin opposes Ukraine joining NATO outright, yet Trump’s team claims the Russian leader is open to allies agreeing to defend Ukraine if it comes under attack.
The Associated Press
