Try GOLD - Free
UK and EU at Zelenskyy's side for talks with Trump
The Guardian
|August 18, 2025
European leaders including Keir Starmer will join Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at a White House meeting today with Donald Trump, in an extraordinary joint effort to push back on a US-backed plan that would allow Russia to take further Ukrainian territory.
As well as the prime minister, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Germany's chancellor, Friedrich Merz, Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, and the Finnish president, Alexander Stubb, will accompany Zelenskyy to the Oval Office.
Nato's secretary general, Mark Rutte, and the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, will also attend.
The show of support seems designed to prevent a repeat of Zelenskyy's public mauling during his last trip to the White House in February, when Trump and the US vice-president, JD Vance, accused him of ingratitude and told him: "You're not in a good position. You don't have the cards right now."
After his summit on Friday with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Trump has reportedly endorsed the Kremlin's one-sided plan to end the war in Ukraine. It includes Kyiv giving up territory Russia has been unable to seize and no ceasefire until a final deal has been agreed.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump accused the media of misrepresenting his "great meeting in Alaska" - an encounter widely seen as a victory for Putin and a humiliation for the US president. Trump claimed yesterday to have made "big progress" on Russia, without giving details.
Today European leaders will reaffirm their support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and argue against a land swap plan that rewards Russian aggression. They will also seek further clarity on what security guarantees the US is willing offer, in the event of a settlement.
In a conciliatory statement announcing his US visit, Starmer praised Trump for his "efforts to end Russia's illegal war in Ukraine". At the same time he reasserted Europe's red lines, saying the "path to peace" could not be decided without Zelenskyy and said Russia should be "squeezed" with further sanctions.
This story is from the August 18, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
Military unit 'attempting to seize power illegally', says Madagascar's president
Madagascar’s president said yesterday an “attempt to seize power illegally and by force” was under way in the country, as a military unit that had joined protesters on the streets on Saturday announced it was taking control of the army.
2 mins
October 13, 2025
The Guardian
'Through the roof' Is Trump right that crime in London is surging?
London is no longer a safe place to live, at least in the eyes of some of its richest residents - and the 47th president of the United States.
3 mins
October 13, 2025
The Guardian
'The gift of a normal life': transplant patient is record holder
At the age of 15, medics feared Katie Mitchell was coming to the end of her life after suffering irreversible lung damage and heart failure from a rare congenital disease.
2 mins
October 13, 2025
The Guardian
William Hill owner says gambling tax risks some shop closures
The debt-laden company behind William Hill is reportedly considering closing up to 200 betting shops if Rachel Reeves’s autumn budget raises taxes on the gambling sector.
1 mins
October 13, 2025
The Guardian
Healy's century powers Australia to record run chase
Australia completed a record women’s one-day international chase as Alyssa Healy’s commanding 142 powered the defending champions to a three-wicket win over India.
1 mins
October 13, 2025
The Guardian
Concerns over TikTok's plans to cut content moderation jobs in UK
Trade unions and online safety experts have urged MPs to investigate TikTok’s plans to make hundreds of UK-based content moderation jobs redundant.
1 mins
October 13, 2025
The Guardian
Vacherot's family affair rounds off his 'unreal' triumph
Valentin Vacherot closed out one of the most stunning big tournament runs in the history of professional tennis, becoming the lowest-ranked player to win a Masters 1000 title as he roared back from a set down to defeat his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 and triumph at the Shanghai Masters.
2 mins
October 13, 2025
The Guardian
Running commentary
'I've only been drunk twice and once was with the England women's team'
5 mins
October 13, 2025
The Guardian
Hull KR win bodes well for top flight's new era
That feels fitting after a season that has delivered the promise of several new clubs coming to the fore and looking as if they can now emulate the new champions and themselves smash Super League’s glass ceiling.
3 mins
October 13, 2025
The Guardian
Palace reopen Glasner talks over new deal
The Crystal Palace chair, Steve Parish, has said they have reopened talks with Oliver Glasner over extending his contract beyond the end of this season but admitted they must match their Austrian manager's ambition if they are to persuade him to stay in south London.
1 min
October 13, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size