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Zelenskyy; EU Leaders Speak with President Trump Ahead of Friday’s Ceasefire Talks Between Ukraine and Russia

Posted on August 13, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin for a virtual summit with European leaders and US President Donald Trump. The talks come ahead of Trump’s planned summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. The White House characterizes the meetings as a “listening excercise”; appearing to downplay ultimate hopes for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

President Trump has said both sides in the conflict will give up land to end the war; something both nations reject. Ukraine’s Zelenskyy warns Russia is building troops for a new offensive with expected launch in September.

After the meeting, Ukraine’s Zelenskyy stated, “there should be a ceasefire first, then security guarantees – real guarantees”; reports indicate President Trump expressed support for this. NATO chief Mark Rutte is quoted as saying “the ball is now in Putin’s court” following the call with Trump, Zelenskyy, and EU nation heads.