U.S. President Donald Trump proposed a high-stakes trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an urgent White House summit on August 18. The unprecedented proposal came as Trump hosted Zelenskyy and key European leaders to address escalating tensions in Eastern Europe.
The meeting followed growing international concern over Trump's recent private discussions with Putin, which reportedly unsettled European allies about potential peace deal terms favoring Russian interests. "We're looking at a big solution that could benefit everyone," Trump stated during the gathering, emphasizing his administration's commitment to "ending this conflict once and for all."
Zelenskyy acknowledged the proposal cautiously, telling reporters: "All formats for restoring peace deserve consideration." European delegates declined immediate comment but diplomatic sources described the summit as "tense" and "politically charged."
Analysts suggest the proposed three-way talks could reshape security dynamics in Eastern Europe, though questions remain about implementation timelines and verification mechanisms. The development comes as Ukraine marks six years since Russia's annexation of Crimea, with ongoing clashes in the Donbas region claiming over 14,000 lives since 2014.
