The summit held on August 19, 2025, brings developments that could be a critical turning point for a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine-Russia War. U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that he is preparing to organize a direct meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin has resonated both in European capitals and Moscow.[i] This development signals a new phase in the course of the war and highlights differences in approach within the West. While Europe insists on a ceasefire as a precondition, Trump wants to pursue negotiations without linking them to a ceasefire condition. Moscow, meanwhile, has offered cautious support for the initiatives, emphasizing the importance of lasting peace. These different approaches reveal the fundamental parameter that will determine the direction of the search for peace.
During Trump’s meeting with Zelensky, it was noteworthy that he emphasized that he had not implemented ceasefires in other conflicts he claimed to have resolved in the past. This approach constitutes a challenge to Europe’s insistence on a “ceasefire first” condition. Trump implied that he aimed to bring the parties to the same table by continuing negotiations without interruption. This was a reflection of his classical deal-maker style. The participation of Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the phone call with Putin in the Oval Office demonstrated that the Washington Administration had embraced this initiative at the institutional level. Rubio’s description of the meeting as “unprecedented” revealed that Trump’s understanding of diplomacy was more grounded in personal leadership contacts. The US goal has been to become a direct mediator at the negotiating table.[ii]
Ukrainian President Zelensky has stated that he is ready to meet with Putin “in any format”.[iii] This statement shows that Ukraine does not want to hinder the diplomatic process despite the difficult conditions it finds itself in. Zelensky also brought up the purchase of $90 billion worth of weapons and the production of drones in Ukraine. This shows that the military dimension of the war has also been brought to the table as part of the diplomatic process. Zelensky also revealed that, in the Oval Office, he discussed with Trump a map illustrating the proportions of territories occupied by Russia. This has confirmed that the issue of Ukraine’s territorial integrity is at the heart of the negotiations.
European leaders have taken a different approach from Trump in the negotiation process. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that “real progress” had been made and announced that the “Coalition” of 30 countries would work with the US on security guarantees for Ukraine. However, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that a ceasefire was necessary for talks to begin. German Chancellor Friedrich Mez similarly stated that negotiations would be meaningless “in an environment where weapons are not silent.” These statements reveal Europe’s desire to give diplomacy a humanitarian foundation. However, they have also contributed to the widening of differences between Trump and Europe.[iv]
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that issues such as the redrawing of Ukraine’s borders were not discussed at the meeting.[v] In his view, such matters can only be brought up in talks between Zelensky and Putin himself. NATO and the European Union (EU) have prioritized the concretization of security guarantees. This indicates that the support given to Ukraine is intended to be framed not only in military terms but also within institutional and political structures. The participation of the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, in the meeting demonstrated that the process is being embraced not only at the intergovernmental level but also at the EU level.
The Russian side has offered cautious support for the initiatives in Washington. Krill Dmitriev, a figure close to the Kremlin, welcomed the emphasis on the goal of “lasting peace” rather than a “temporary ceasefire.” This statement reflects Moscow’s stance against Europe’s insistence on a “ceasefire first” approach. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov indicated that Moscow has not closed the door on diplomacy, noting that the meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska took place in a “positive atmosphere.” However, Lavrov emphasized that a lasting agreement would not be possible unless Russia’s security was guaranteed and the rights of the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine were secured. These conditions have emerged as Moscow’s fundamental priorities in the talks.
The developments have clearly revealed the different approaches within the West. While Washington aims to start negotiations without a ceasefire condition quickly, Berlin and Paris have made a ceasefire precondition for humanitarian and political reasons. London, meanwhile, has defined progress as “unity” by building bridges between the two lines. Moscow, on the other hand, has cautiously supported the process, focusing on its own security interests. This picture reveals that not only the two sides but also the strategic harmony within the Western alliance is decisive in resolving the Ukraine Crisis. Therefore, the real negotiating table has been set not only between Kiev and Moscow but also between Washington, Berlin, Paris, and London.
Trump’s attempt to arrange the Zelensky-Putin meeting has the potential to open a new path for a diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine. However, the extent to which this path can progress will depend on the parties’ ability to reconcile their different priorities. While Europe argues that diplomacy cannot begin without a ceasefire, Trump, drawing on past experience, does not consider a ceasefire a precondition. Moscow, however, emphasizes that no agreement will be reached unless security guarantees and the rights of the Russian-speaking population are met. Zelensky, despite the difficult conditions, has demonstrated his willingness to engage in unconditional talks, paving the way for the diplomatic process. This scenario demonstrates that the fate of the war will be determined not only on battlefields but also at the negotiating table. The concrete outcome of these talks in the coming weeks will reveal whether the prospect of peace is realistic. If diplomacy progresses, this initiative could mark the beginning of a new era in world politics. If it fails, both the intensity of the war will increase and the cracks within the Western alliance will deepen. Therefore, Trump’s initiative is a historic test, and its outcome will affect not only the future of Ukraine and Russia but also the entire global order.
[i] Debusmann Jr, Bernd, and Laura Gozzi. “Four Key Takeaways from Ukraine Talks in Washington”, BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yp4jggrj2o, (Accessed: 24.08.2025).
[ii] İbid.
[iii] İbid.
[iv] İbid.
[v] İbid.
