Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting Live Updates: Zelenskyy says ready for bilateral meeting with Putin to end war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House and met Donald Trump. Later in the day, he will join a joint session with leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union, and NATO at 3 pm EDT (12:30 am IST, Tuesday).

The high-stakes meeting follows the recent Alaska summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. While no official details were released, reports suggested Putin outlined terms for a peace deal, including Ukraine surrendering control of the remaining parts of Donetsk. Kyiv has already rejected such demands.

Currently, Ukrainian forces hold about a quarter of Donetsk, using its terrain as a defensive shield. Zelenskyy is pushing for an immediate ceasefire, but Trump’s stance has shifted closer to Moscow’s call for negotiations to continue alongside fighting.

17:38 (IST) Aug 18

Zelenskyy-Trump meeting: Stocks diverge ahead of Trump-Zelensky talks

Global markets moved in different directions on Monday as investors awaited high-stakes talks in Washington between U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and key European leaders over Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The meeting follows Trump’s recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which ended without a ceasefire agreement. Zelenskyy, facing pressure from Trump to concede Crimea and scale back NATO aspirations, reiterated before the talks that Moscow “should not be rewarded” for its aggression.

European stock exchanges reflected caution, with London, Paris, and Frankfurt all trading lower by midday. “The focus is still on Ukraine this morning, as the world reacts to the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska last Friday,” noted Jim Reid, managing director at Deutsche Bank.

Meanwhile, oil prices fluctuated as investors assessed how potential breakthroughs—or further deadlock—in the negotiations could affect Russia, one of the world’s largest crude suppliers.

17:34 (IST) Aug 18

Trump-Zelenskyy meeting: Zelenskyy arrives in US

After landing in Washington on Sunday night, Zelenskyy thanked Trump for the invitation while firmly restating Ukraine’s position. “We all equally want to end this war swiftly and reliably. Russia must end this war -- the war it started. And I hope that our shared strength with America and with our European friends will compel Russia to real peace,” he said on Telegram.

17:32 (IST) Aug 18

Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting Live Updates: What does Putin demand in exchange for peace?

According to reports, the proposals allegedly laid out by Russian President Vladimir Putin included several sweeping demands. Among them were Ukraine’s full withdrawal from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, with Russia maintaining control over both territories. In return, Moscow would hand back limited occupied areas in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions, estimated at around 440 square kilometers.

The plan also called for international recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea and stipulated that no ceasefire would be agreed until a comprehensive settlement was reached. In addition, Putin reportedly sought the easing of at least some Western sanctions imposed on Russia.

Domestically, the proposals included granting official status to the Russian language across parts—or potentially all—of Ukraine, as well as guaranteeing the Russian Orthodox Church the right to operate freely within the country.

17:28 (IST) Aug 18

Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting Live Updates: Zelenskyy to meet Trump- Where and when

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Washington, where he is scheduled to meet Donald Trump at 1:15 pm EDT (10:45 pm IST, Monday) in the Oval Office. Later in the day, he will join a joint session with leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union, and Nato at 3 pm EDT (12:30 am IST, Tuesday).

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House and met US President Donald Trump. A short while ago, European leaders too arrived here.

This comes after the US President meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week. in the Oval Office before holding a joint session with leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union and Nato at 3 pm EDT (12:30 am IST, Tuesday).

After landing in Washington on Sunday night, Zelenskyy thanked Trump for the invitation while firmly restating Ukraine’s position. “We all equally want to end this war swiftly and reliably. Russia must end this war -- the war it started. And I hope that our shared strength with America and with our European friends will compel Russia to real peace,” he said on Telegram.

This meeting comes on the heels of the Alaska summit, where Trump held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While neither leader disclosed details, reports claimed Putin presented a set of demands tied to a potential peace deal. Kyiv has rejected the reported proposals, which allegedly included Ukraine ceding control of the remaining parts of Donetsk.

Ukrainian forces currently hold about a quarter of Donetsk, relying on its towns and high ground as a defensive buffer, according to Reuters. Zelenskyy is instead calling for an immediate ceasefire followed by structured negotiations. Trump, who initially supported a ceasefire, has since shifted his stance after meeting Putin, leaning closer to Moscow’s preference for talks while fighting continues.