French President Emmanuel Macron called the next 15 days “critical” and welcomed US President Donald Trump’s intention to provide security guarantees for Ukraine.
In an interview with the public broadcaster LCI published on August 19, he said that in the next few weeks, everything possible should be done to ensure that a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin takes place. “Then, according to the plan, a trilateral summit could take place in early September,” Macron added.
“But there is work to be done on security guarantees. Therefore, the next 15 days are absolutely critical. To finalize the work with the Americans to give content to the security guarantees. But first of all, we are going to eliminate ambiguities,” the French president said.
The specific content of the security guarantees is currently unknown, although Macron said that “the British, French, Germans, Turks and others are ready to carry out operations – not on the front line, not provocatively, but support operations in the air, at sea and on land.” At the same time, he warned that Russia is a destabilizing force, and President Vladimir Putin “has rarely kept his commitments.”
“One thing I know is that since the end of 2007-2008, President Putin has rarely honored his commitments. He has always been a destabilizing force and has sought to redraw borders to expand his power,” the French president said.
“It is a predator, it is a cannibal at our gates. I’m not saying that tomorrow there will be an attack (by Russia – IF-U) on France, but in the end, it is a threat to Europeans,” Macron said.
In a week or two, it will be clear whether the war will end or the fighting will continue, according to US President Donald Trump.
“I think President Putin wants to find an answer, and we’ll see. And if after a certain amount of time, not too far from today, a week or two, we’ll know whether we’ve solved this problem or whether these terrible battles will continue. We will do everything we can to put an end to this,“ Trump said before meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders.
He noted that there are two sides ”that want to make a deal.”
“And it’s possible that it won’t work out. On the other hand, it’s possible that it will work out. And we will save thousands and thousands of lives every week. So this is what we really have to do. Or at least we have to make every effort. But I think we can get a very good result,” Trump stressed.
US President Donald Trump wants to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky first, according to Bild. According to the German publication, citing government sources, Trump will first receive only the Ukrainian president. Zelensky will then be joined by accompanying EU leaders. A working dinner and discussion will take place, lasting several hours in an expanded format.
The reason for the visit is possible negotiations on a peace agreement with Vladimir Putin.
As reported, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will also join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Union leaders at a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington on August 18.
On Monday, August 18, Zelensky plans to discuss all the details of ending the war with US President Donald Trump in Washington.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will also join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Union leaders at a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington on August 18.
“On August 18, 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will visit Washington, D.C. The Secretary General will participate in a meeting hosted by President Donald J. Trump with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and other European leaders,” the alliance’s headquarters said on Sunday.
The Italian national news agency ANSA reports that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will be in Washington on Monday to attend a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House “together with Volodymyr Zelensky, Ursula von der Leyen, and other European leaders.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Finnish President Alexander Stubb have confirmed their participation in the meeting.
“Tomorrow I am traveling to Washington with President Zelensky and other European heads of state and government. We will exchange views with US President Trump on peace efforts, security guarantees, territorial issues, and further support for Ukraine,” Merz wrote on Telegram on Sunday.
“Finnish President Alexander Stubb will participate in a meeting on peace in Ukraine on Monday, August 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C., USA,” the Office of the President of Finland announced.
As reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to discuss all details regarding the end of the war with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, August 18.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb is likely to join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a meeting with US President Donald Trump, according to the Politico news website, citing unnamed diplomats and a source familiar with the matter.
“According to two European diplomats and a person familiar with the matter, there are plans to send at least one of Trump’s favorite interlocutors, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, along with Zelensky when he arrives in Washington on Monday for a meeting with Trump. The idea is that Stubb can help prevent any conflicts between Trump and Zelensky and convince the US president to include Europe in any further negotiations,” Politico writes.
“President Donald Trump’s friendly attitude toward Vladimir Putin on Friday has raised concerns among European leaders that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will not receive the same warm welcome. And they are taking steps to improve Kiev’s chances,” the publication notes.
As reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to discuss all the details of ending the war with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, August 18.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to discuss all details regarding the end of the war with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, August 18.
“I intend to discuss all details regarding the end of the killings and the end of the war with President Trump in Washington on Monday.
I am grateful for the invitation,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram on Saturday after a telephone conversation with Trump.
The president said that the long and substantive conversation with the American leader was first one-on-one and then also with the participation of European leaders. In total, the leaders spoke for more than an hour and a half, about an hour with Trump.
“Ukraine once again confirms that it is ready to work as productively as possible for peace. President Trump informed me about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of the conversation. It is important that America’s strength influences the development of the situation,” Zelensky said.
He noted that Ukraine supports Trump’s proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the US, and Russia.
“Ukraine emphasizes that key issues can be discussed at the leadership level, and the trilateral format is suitable for this,” the Ukrainian president added.
He also stressed the importance of involving Europe at all stages to ensure reliable security together with the US.
The leaders discussed positive signals from the US side regarding participation in ensuring Ukraine’s security.
“We continue to coordinate our positions with all partners. Thank you to everyone who is helping,” the president concluded.
