The scene was familiar—US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sitting in the Oval Office, with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the couch to Trump’s left. But unlike the last time this particular scene unfolded, there was no shouting match and even a few moments of levity.
Here’s what you need to know.
Less fireworks
Zelenskyy headed off one particular flashpoint from February’s meeting, even before a word was said, by wearing a suit this time. He even had a good-natured exchange with Brian Glenn, a correspondent with right-wing news outlet Real America’s Voice, whose question about the Ukrainian leader’s more casual attire back in February further stoked an already contentious argument. “You look fabulous in that suit,” Glenn quipped on Monday, before apologising to Zelenskyy for his previous attack. “You are in the same suit,” Zelenskyy shot back, to laughter from Trump and others in the room.
Zelenskyy also thanked Trump for his continued support on multiple instances, blunting the other infamous attack by Vance that kick-started their disagreement during the last meeting.
Trump also appeared to be in a more gracious mood this time around. “We’re going to have a meeting. I think if everything works out well today, we’re going to have a trilat,” he said, referring to a proposed trilateral meeting with Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. “And I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that.”
“The war is going to end.”
John Pienaar & Friends react to Trump’s call for "long-term" peace, his support for European troops in Ukraine, and his proposal for a trilateral meeting with Putin and Zelensky.#TimesRadio | @JPonpolitics pic.twitter.com/q9o0jNxvk9
— Times Radio (@TimesRadio) August 18, 2025
US troops in Ukraine?
Another sign of how far Trump has shifted on his previous support for Ukraine came in response to multiple questions from the press gaggle on whether he would send in US troops to ensure Ukraine’s security as part of a final peace deal. In a possibly encouraging sign for Ukraine, he did not rule it out.
“When it comes to security, there’s going to be a lot of help. It’s going to be good,” Trump said, referring to the European countries whose leaders he was scheduled to meet with later on Monday. “They are the first line of defence because they’re there,” he added, “but we’re going to help them out also. We’ll be involved.”
Ceasefire prospects
Ahead of his meeting with Putin in Alaska on Friday, Trump had threatened “severe consequences” if the Russian president did not agree to a ceasefire, but Trump softened his stance right after the meeting and called instead for the two sides to work toward a final peace agreement.
He reiterated that new stance on Monday: “I don’t think you need a ceasefire.”
