Zelensky and Trump meeting: what could be decided in the US and what concessions is Putin demanding from Ukraine?

The Washington talks between Zelensky and Trump, against the backdrop of the Alaskan meeting with Putin, are becoming a key moment in the search for a peace formula: tough security guarantees without formal NATO membership and the contours of a possible trilateral format are being discussed. Find out what may be decided in Washington and what the positions of the parties are

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After the fruitless but high-profile meeting between Donald Trump and vladimir putin in Anchorage on 15 August, the world's attention shifted to Washington, where Volodymyr Zelensky arrived on 18 August with a group of European leaders for talks at the White House. The central intrigue is whether it will be possible to agree on the framework for future ‘security guarantees’ for Ukraine, whether there will be prospects for trilateral contacts involving putin, and how deep the Kremlin's territorial demands will be as the ‘price’ for ending the war.

What is on the table in Washington?

1. Security guarantees instead of formal NATO membership

Trump has publicly stated that a ceasefire is ‘not necessary’ for talks to begin, but that the US will give Ukraine ‘very good protection’ — this refers to options for collective guarantees that are functionally similar to NATO standards, albeit without formal membership. European leaders insist that any agreement must effectively deter future Russian aggression.

2. European ‘connection’ with Kyiv

Zelensky is accompanied to the White House by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Finland and the NATO Secretary General. According to US media reports, their task is to demonstrate unity and ‘back up’ Kyiv amid US pressure for a quick peace.

3. Outlines of possible solutions in Washington

The White House is discussing today: the architecture of security guarantees (bilateral/multilateral agreements between the US and Europe with Ukraine), parameters for possible de-escalation without a formal ceasefire, and a political process that could lead to a separate trilateral format with russia's participation.

Is a trilateral meeting between Trump, Zelensky and putin possible?

Both Trump and Zelensky have publicly left the door open for trilateral contacts, provided that guarantees acceptable to Kyiv are provided and Europe takes a coordinated position. In the Oval Office, Trump admitted that ‘if everything goes well,’ this meeting could take place.

The Ukrainian president confirmed his readiness for the format if it gives a chance for a ‘lasting, not temporary’ peace.

After a closed meeting with the Ukrainian president, Trump said that ‘the talks were successful’ and that they would now try to hold a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, russia and the United States.

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What putin wants: conditions for ending the war

The key demand is complete control over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including the ‘fortresses of Donbas’ — Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, etc., where Ukraine holds fortified positions. In Alaska, they talked about ‘freezing’ the front line in the south (Zaporizhzhia, Kherson) in exchange for Ukraine leaving the rest of Donbas; some reports mentioned ideas about ‘cosmetic returns’ of small areas in the Sumy/Kharkiv regions.

In addition, Moscow is seeking recognition of Crimea as russian territory and Ukraine's renunciation of NATO. putin's list also includes other demands, ranging from the language issue (russian should become an official language in Ukraine) to special status for religious structures, plus a gradual easing of sanctions.

These points were raised to varying degrees in leaks and reports after the Alaska summit.

The position of Ukraine, the US and Europe

Kyiv rules out territorial concessions and demands real, legally binding security guarantees. The Ukrainian Constitution (Article 73) explicitly states that any changes to the territory can only be made through a nationwide referendum; the president does not have the right to ‘cede’ territory by agreement. That is why Zelensky insists that withdrawal from Donbas and recognition of Crimea are impossible, and that a ‘freeze’ without guarantees will only recreate the risk of a new war.

After Alaska, Trump publicly shifted the emphasis: a ceasefire is no longer considered a prerequisite; the focus is now on a ‘quick peace’ and ‘very good protection’ for Ukraine. But this approach raises questions among allies due to the lack of transparency and the risk of pressure on Kyiv to make painful concessions.

European leaders, in turn, are demonstrating rare coordination: ‘no decisions on Ukraine without Ukraine,’ an emphasis on real guarantees and on the fact that the issue of territory is the competence of the Ukrainian people. At the same time, Brussels acknowledges that if the US weakens its support, Europe has no full-fledged ‘plan B.’

Reminder! On 15 August, Trump and putin met in Alaska. The choice of venue, the topics announced for discussion and the consequences sparked controversy in the US, Ukraine and around the world. Find out why the summit took place there and other important details of the meeting.