The highly-anticipated bilateral meeting between President Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky kicked off Monday afternoon with a lively Q&A session with the press. In a scene that echoed last February's explosive meeting, the two men sat down in the Oval Office to answer a few questions before the closed-door discussions began. This time around, things were far more peaceful than fiery.
First off, the topic on everyone's mind: what would Zelensky wear for his return trip to the White House? His more casual mode of dress for the previous White House meeting was seen by some as disrespectful, and things weren't looking promising earlier Monday when Zelensky made a stop on Capitol Hill clad in a back t-shirt. By the time he reached the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, however, he had added a jacket and got the nod of approval from the president himself.
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In true Trump style, the pre-meeting presser covered a range of topics, from Zelensky's fashion choices to Washingtonians flocking back to D.C. restaurants after the federal law enforcement takeover. The real meat of the remarks, though, were focused on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, and what can be done to end the conflict.
Right off the bat, President Trump set the stage by reminding those in attendance that it was the weakness of the Biden administration that allowed to conflict to brew over into all-out war.
President Trump: "This isn't my war, this is Joe Biden's war... We want to get it ended—and we want it to end good for everybody. The people of Ukraine have suffered incredibly." pic.twitter.com/fJHRtMHY5v
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 18, 2025
Following President Trump's meeting in Alaska last Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the idea of a possible ceasefire was front and center. Trump, surprisingly, seemed to downplay the need for one.
.@POTUS: "I don't think you need a ceasefire. If you look at the six deals that I settled this year, they were all at war. I didn't do any ceasefires ... I like the concept of a ceasefire for one reason: because you'd stop killing people immediately." pic.twitter.com/KD6cWlYd9L
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 18, 2025
.@realDonaldTrump: "I love the Ukrainian people, but I love all people. I love the Russian people. I love them all. I want to get the war stopped." pic.twitter.com/jKCUe0pz4T
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 18, 2025
One reporter asked about the "peace letter" written to Putin by First Lady Melania Trump and hand-delivered by President Trump. In it, Mrs. Trump implored the Russian president to protect future generations around the world, saying "it is time" to protect the children.
.@POTUS: "@FLOTUS felt very strongly. She's watched the same thing that you watch... She loves children, and she hates to see something like this happening... It was a very beautiful letter. It was very well-received by him." https://t.co/PtRGcC8Fsm pic.twitter.com/rs14n8Ae3O
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 18, 2025
Zelensky offered his thanks to the First Lady for penning the letter, and surprised President Trump with a letter from Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska, noting it was for Mrs. Trump's eyes only.
READ MORE: First Lady Melania Trump Evokes Children's 'Melodic Laughter' in Personal Letter to Russia's Putin
What will ultimately come from Monday's talks remains to be seen, but some watchers are hoping the next step in the peace process will be a trilateral meeting between Trump, Zelensky, and Putin. President Trump said it's possible.
.@POTUS: "I just spoke to President Putin indirectly, and we're going to have a phone call right after these meetings today — and we may or may not have a trilat." pic.twitter.com/dOoGlB8O3T
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 18, 2025
Just as the Oval Office meeting was starting, Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich reported that her sources were downplaying the possibility of trilateral talks, but emphasized that both the U.S. and Ukraine were committed to making Monday's meeting a success.
NEWS: I just got off the phone with a source involved in the pre-meeting with Zelenskyy at the Ukrainian embassy this morning:
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) August 18, 2025
MY NOTES:
1) I’m told there’s no expectation that today wraps up with a date on the calendar for a trilateral summit – but today would be a success if…
President Trump has spoken repeatedly of his desire to see an end to the war, often stating his disgust at the human toll he sees played out in photos presented to him during his security briefings. The Oval Office may have been calm today, but the stakes are high and Trump seems determined to succeed where Biden failed by bringing an end to the brutal conflict.
Also on hand at the White House Monday are U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and European Commission President Ursula von de Leyen.
Editor’s Note: Thanks to President Trump and his administration’s bold leadership, we are respected on the world stage, and our enemies are being put on notice.
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