Ukraine peace talks advance in Washington

Zelensky travels to Washington for Aug 18 talks with Trump and European leaders as the US debate pivots toward a rapid settlement and guarded security guarantees.

Trump presses hard line as Zelensky meets in Washington for peace talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington late on Aug 17 for peace talks with Donald Trump and European leaders. The discussions aim to shape a pathway to end the war and reinforce Ukraine’s security while Trump signals a willingness to broker a deal that excludes NATO membership and Crimea’s recovery. Trump has argued in recent days that the war could end almost immediately if Zelensky chooses, but he also cautioned that a settlement would come with conditions, and that Ukraine would not be allowed to reclaim Crimea as part of any deal. European participants are expected to join on Aug 18, with plans for a broader, multi-party discussion afterward. Kyiv and Moscow are said to be exploring border and territorial questions privately, though Kyiv insists any agreement must stop short of sacrificing Ukrainian sovereignty.

Zelensky reiterated that any new agreement must prevent Russia from using concessions as a springboard for future attacks, stressing that Crimea will remain Ukrainian and highlighting the importance of a ceasefire first. Moscow’s reported proposals would reportedly require Kyiv to withdraw from parts of Donetsk and Luhansk in exchange for Russian withdrawal from areas of Sumy and Kharkiv, according to Kyiv’s briefing. The talks come after a recent dialogue between Trump and Putin in Alaska, where Trump suggested a broad settlement could be near, yet with uncertainties about what Kyiv would accept. The day’s agenda suggests a tight pace and careful messaging from Washington, with a focus on preserving Ukraine’s core red lines while seeking tangible security guarantees.

The Washington meeting underscores a shift from vague assurances to concrete bargaining terms. Trump positions himself as a broker capable of delivering a broader peace, while Kyiv presses for guards against a repeat of Crimea-like concessions. The potential for territorial swaps to anchor a security deal raises alarms about setting a dangerous precedent, especially if sovereignty is traded for time-bound guarantees. Western allies must balance speed with the need to uphold Kyiv’s sovereignty, a task made harder by competing domestic politics in the United States and Europe. The risk is a settlement that ends the fighting but leaves Ukraine with disputed borders and fragile security arrangements that Moscow could exploit later.

Highlights

As talks unfold, leaders face the challenge of turning promises into protections that can outlive the headlines.