President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and several European leaders gathered at the White House on Monday for historic peace talks geared towards hopefully ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Speaking briefly to reporters on Monday, Trump and Zelensky were joined for a roundtable discussion in the East Room of the White House with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

READ MORE: As the Historic Day Dawns, Trump Puts Zelensky on Notice: You Could End War ‘Almost Immediately’

Trump’s Trilateral Tease: Oval Office Meeting With Zelensky Sparks Talk of Three-Way Summit

Trump led off the remarks, thanking the world leaders for coming together, and told reporters that he was optimistic about the talks so far. The president said that those in the room were all on the same page, working together to “stop the killing.”

He also said he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin, indirectly, on Monday as well. 

👏NOW – @POTUS holds HISTORIC Ukraine peace talks with European leaders at the White House. pic.twitter.com/ZIPhgSAtkK

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 18, 2025

“I’m optimistic that collectively we can reach an agreement that would deter any future aggression against Ukraine…If we can have a good meeting,” Trump said. “I’ll set up a meeting with President Putin. If you’d like, I’ll go to that meeting.”

🚨NEW—@POTUS agrees to mediate a meeting between R/U.

“I’m optimistic that collectively we can reach an agreement that would deter any future aggression against Ukraine…If we can have a good meeting I’ll set up a meeting with Pres. Putin. If you’d like I’ll go to that meeting” pic.twitter.com/5BKciP8eex

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 18, 2025

Zelensky commented on what he called “very good” conversations with Trump.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr @ZelenskyyUa: “I think that we had a very good conversation with President Trump… it was really good. We spoke about very sensitive points.” pic.twitter.com/MwnAu3mbaJ

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 18, 2025

SEE: Watch: Putin’s Reaction to Trump’s Incredible Military Flex in Alaska

Zelensky Shows Up to White House Looking Very Different Than Last Time, and Trump Lets Him Know

“It really was the best one. Or sorry, maybe the best one will be in the future,” Ukraine’s president said, adding that it’s very important that the “United States” gives such strong security guarantees.

Sec. Gen. of NATO thanks @POTUS for “breaking the deadlock with Pres. Putin by starting the dialogue”:

“I really want to thank you for your leadership…it is really crucial & the fact you have said ‘I’m willing to participate in security guarantees’ is really a breakthrough.”👏 pic.twitter.com/VS39yr9Pwo

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 18, 2025

NATO Secretary General Rutte praised Trump and said he “broke the deadlock with President Putin by starting the dialogue,” which he said hadn’t happened in the last three and a half years under former President Joe Biden.

“I really want to thank you for your leadership…it is really crucial and the fact you have said ‘I’m willing to participate in security guarantees’ is really a breakthrough,” he added. “And it makes all the difference.”

.@EU_Commission President Ursula @vonderleyen: “We had a fantastic NATO Summit… We had the largest trade deal ever — agreed. And now, we are here to work together with you on a… lasting peace for Ukraine. Stop the killing. This is really our common interest.” pic.twitter.com/NlDGEYIh5w

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 18, 2025

President Von der Leyen said, “We had a fantastic NATO Summit… We had the largest trade deal ever — agreed. And now, we are here to work together with you on a… lasting peace for Ukraine. Stop the killing. This is really our common interest.”

German Chancellor Merz called the gathering helpful, getting to speak with both Trump and Zelensky, but said the next steps are more complicated.

“This is extremely helpful that we are meeting and hearing that the two of you are having such a good meeting today,” says Chancellor @_FriedrichMerz.

“The path is open. You opened it last Friday — but now the way is open for complicated negotiations.” pic.twitter.com/UIdXHCzYsE

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 18, 2025

“This is extremely helpful that we are meeting and hearing that the two of you are having such a good meeting today,” Merz said.

“The path is open,” he added. “You opened it last Friday — but now the way is open for complicated negotiations.”

Italian Prime Minister Meloni’s remarks might have stood out the most when she said that, until President Trump, there was no sign at all that Russia was interested in ending this war.

Prime Minister @GiorgiaMeloni: “It is an important day — a new phase — after three years that we didn’t see any kind of sign from the Russian side that they were willing for dialogue, so something is changing — something has changed — thanks to you.” pic.twitter.com/NuSypQh2T9

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 18, 2025

“It is an important day — a new phase — after three years that we didn’t see any kind of sign from the Russian side that they were willing for dialogue, so something is changing — something has changed — thanks to you,” Meloni said.

Meanwhile, the French President was thankful that Trump had organized the critical meeting.

French President @EmmanuelMacron: “Thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this meeting and for your commitment… everybody around this table is in favor of peace… this is why the idea of a trilateral meeting is very important because this is the only way to fix it.” pic.twitter.com/Yh0DgznGLl

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 18, 2025

“Thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this meeting and for your commitment… everybody around this table is in favor of peace… this is why the idea of a trilateral meeting is very important because this is the only way to fix it,” Macron said.

What will happen next is anyone’s guess. But you can guarantee RedState will be on top of it and keep you informed in the coming days. Check back for updates.

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