Bota Posted on 2025-08-19 10:37:00

Europe reacts after White House meeting - Leaders of major powers optimistic about reaching ceasefire in Ukraine

From Kristi Ceta

Europe reacts after White House meeting - Leaders of major powers optimistic

After meeting at the White House, European leaders expressed moderate optimism that US President Donald Trump is making progress in fulfilling his election promise to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The leaders of France, Germany, Finland, Italy and the UK, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, showed a common approach in their meeting with Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said after the meeting that there had been “real progress” and a “real sense of unity.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that “the way is now open” to ending the conflict, although the next steps are “more complicated.” He added that his hopes for the summit “were not only met, but exceeded.”

Trump was more reserved, saying: "If we can get the ceasefire, great," without presenting this as a condition for a deal.

French President Emmanuel Macron told the media that the most important outcome of the meeting was “the US commitment to work with us in providing guarantees for Ukraine.” He also stressed the readiness to organize a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy in the coming days and a trilateral meeting, including Trump, within two to three weeks. However, Macron expressed doubts about Putin’s willingness to stop the war.

Merz added that now is the time for Europeans and Americans to discuss who will participate in security guarantees and to what extent. “It is absolutely clear that all of Europe must participate,” he stressed.

Live TV

Latest news
All news

Most visited