‘Location to be…’: Trump says he has begun ‘arrangements’ for Zelenskyy-Putin meet, calls it ‘early step’ toward peace

US President Donald Trump said Monday (August 18) that “arrangements” are underway for a face-to-face meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing it as a “very good, early step” toward ending the nearly four-year conflict.

“I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy,” Trump wrote on Trump Social.

He added that following the one-on-one, he expects to host a trilateral meeting with both leaders. “After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself,” he said.

Speaking after a White House gathering with European leaders, NATO officials, and Ukraine’s president, Trump said peace talks may be progressing. “I had a very good meeting with distinguished guests which ended in a further meeting in the Oval Office,” he said on Truth Social, noting that discussions focused on security guarantees for Ukraine to be provided by European nations in coordination with Washington. “Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine,” he added.

At the conclusion of the high-level meeting, Trump phoned Putin directly, pausing his discussions with European leaders and Zelenskyy.

Those present included French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Trump said Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are coordinating logistics with Moscow and Kyiv. “This was a very good, early step for a war that has been going on for almost four years,” he emphasised.

Trump, Putin spoke for 40 minutes during White House talks
The Kremlin said Putin warmly thanked Trump for the hospitality and progress made during their Alaska summit.

Russian news agencies cited a Kremlin aide confirming that the two leaders held a 40-minute phone call, during which they backed continued direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations. They also agreed to stay in close contact on the Ukraine crisis and other pressing global issues, signalling that Moscow and Washington intend to keep communication channels open.