US President Donald Trump has hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House for high-stakes talks on the future of the war in Ukraine. The meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes before a press briefing, is expected to be followed by discussions with seven European leaders and a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ahead of the summit, Trump urged Ukraine to abandon its NATO membership ambitions and its hopes of regaining Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. The United States and most of the international community still regard the annexation as illegal.
Key developments from the White House meeting:
- Trump signals “no need for ceasefire”: In response to a question on possible sanctions or “severe consequences” against Russia, Trump said a ceasefire might not be necessary. “If you look at the six deals that I settled this year, they were all at war – I didn’t do any cease fires,” he said, suggesting he may pursue a direct settlement instead.
- Zelenskyy open to trilateral talks with Putin: The Ukrainian leader said he is ready for a three-way meeting involving Trump and Putin. “We are ready for trilateral,” Zelenskyy said, framing it as a path toward ending the war.
- Security guarantees on the table: Zelenskyy insisted Ukraine needs “everything” in terms of guarantees. He explained this would mean both strengthening Ukraine’s military capacity — with weapons, training, manpower, and intelligence — and long-term assurances from global powers including the US and its allies.
- Trump hints at possible US troop involvement: While declining to commit, Trump did not rule out sending American troops into Ukraine, further raising questions about a potential shift in Washington’s policy.
- US role in future security framework: Trump stressed that while Europe must remain “the first line of defense,” the United States would also be “involved” in providing security guarantees as part of a broader peace agreement.
- Trump blames Biden for the war: The US president repeated his claim that his predecessor, Joe Biden, was to blame for Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. “This isn’t my war, this is Joe Biden’s war,” Trump said, adding that he initially believed ending it would be “easy,” but has since found it a “tough one.”
The talks mark Trump’s most direct engagement on Ukraine since returning to office. Analysts say the emphasis on negotiations, rather than continued battlefield support, could signal a significant shift in US policy — one that places Trump at the center of a possible deal involving Kyiv and Moscow.
![Five Key Takeaways from Trump-Starmer Meeting in the UK Aylesbury, UK – September 18, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented a united front on major global issues during a joint press conference at Chequers, wrapping up Trump’s three-day visit to the United Kingdom. Despite recent tensions between Washington and European allies, the meeting underscored strong transatlantic ties as the two leaders discussed Ukraine, NATO, Gaza, Afghanistan, and more. 1. Trump Says Putin ‘Let Him Down’ Over Ukraine President Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the prolonged war in Ukraine, admitting he underestimated the challenge of resolving the conflict. “I thought it would be easiest because of my relationship with President Putin, but he’s let me down,” Trump said. PM Starmer reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, vowing to increase pressure on Russia and push for a lasting peace deal. 2. Divergence on Gaza, But Unity Against Hamas While both leaders condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, they differed on the broader approach to the Gaza conflict. Trump avoided criticizing Israel’s ongoing military campaign, which has killed over 65,000 Palestinians, calling October 7 “one of the worst days in the history of humanity.” Starmer's previous pledge to recognize a Palestinian state was noted as a “point of disagreement,” but Trump praised the UK leader’s strong stance against Hamas. 3. Trump Praises NATO and Increased Defense Spending Once a vocal NATO critic, Trump struck a different tone, applauding the alliance’s commitment to boost defense spending. “I want to thank NATO and our wonderful head of NATO, Mark [Rutte]… They’ve done a great job,” he said, highlighting a new pledge for members to spend 5% of GDP on defense. Trump emphasized U.S. support in supplying weapons to NATO allies, stressing that the alliance was now “paying its fair share.” 4. Bagram Airbase Back in Focus Trump hinted at possible negotiations with the Taliban for the U.S. to regain access to the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan, which was vacated in 2021 during the Biden administration’s withdrawal. “We’re trying to get it back,” Trump said, citing its strategic location near China’s nuclear facilities. The Taliban, however, quickly dismissed the proposal, stating they welcome engagement with the U.S. but will not allow any foreign military presence. 5. Trump Weighs in on Kimmel Firing Trump also addressed the firing of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by ABC, following political controversy over remarks involving conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. “Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings… He’s not a talented person,” Trump said, dismissing concerns about free speech and framing the firing as a business decision. Conclusion: The Trump-Starmer meeting reflected a broad effort to reinforce U.S.-UK ties amid ongoing global crises. While areas of disagreement remain, particularly on Middle East policy, both leaders signaled alignment on Ukraine, NATO, and global security cooperation.](https://trendbrio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USA-TRUMP-BRITAIN-AND-KEIR-STARMER.webp)
