By: Fox News - Anders Hagstrom - 18 August 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, alongside several European allies. Trump has urged Zelenskyy to accept a land swap deal with Russia after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.

European leaders arrive at White House for meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy

Several European heads of state arrived at the White House on Monday ahead of their meeting with President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Among the group were U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friederich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb. NATO general secretary Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also arrived to the White House.

The group is preparing to launch discussions over how to end the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's wardrobe choice for his high-stakes meeting with Trump Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived to the White House for his high-stakes meeting with President Donald Trump wearing more formal attire than his typical relaxed wardrobe. Zelenskyy was seen shaking Trump's hand while wearing all black, including a button-down black shirt and jacket. 

Zelenskyy is back in Washington, D.C., Monday to meet with Trump following the U.S. president's historic meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday in Alaska to discuss the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. The Putin meeting did not yield a peace agreement, with Trump now urging Ukraine to accept a land swap deal with Russia, arguing it is the most efficient way to end the war.

The meeting Monday also includes European leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.  Zelenskyy has previously come under fire and questioning regarding his public attire, which has routinely included him sporting dark green T-shirts, sweatshirts and other relaxed military-style outfits, as opposed to suits. 

Excerpt from an article by Fox News' Emma Colton

"Why don't you wear a suit? You're at the highest level in this country's office, and you refuse to wear a suit," one reporter asked Zelenskyy when he visited the White House in February. "Do you own a suit?" Axios reported that the White House allegedly asked Ukrainian officials prior to the meeting if he would wear a suit to the meeting. 

Zelenskyy arrives at White House for peace talks with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is greeted by US President Donald Trump (L) upon arrival at the White House West Wing in Washington, DC, on August 18, 2025. " (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP/ Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House to engage in peace talks with President Donald Trump on Monday.

Zelensky is set to join a cohort of European heads of state who are also visiting the White House on Monday in solidarity with Ukraine. Trump has urged Zelenskyy to pursue a peace deal floated by Russian President Vladimir Putin that would see Ukraine cede some of its territory.

Zelenskyy has so far rejected such plans.

Here are the US officials who will be in the room for Trump's meeting with Zelenskyy

President Donald Trump has selected several top U.S. officials to participate in his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday. The group includes Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Special Envoy Keith Kellogg.

The group is set to meet with Zelenskyy and several top leaders from Europe, including the heads of state for the U.K., France, Germany, Italy and Finland. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will also be present.

Back from Alaska, Trump starts week with crucial foreign policy talks over Ukraine war

President Donald Trump's foreign policy agenda is set to take center stage again this week, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visiting the White House on Monday as Washington continues efforts to broker peace between Moscow and Kyiv.

The White House has yet to release details of the meeting but has acknowledged that key European allies will accompany Zelenskyy.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Finnish President Alexander Stubb all confirmed their plans to attend.

Over the weekend, Zelenskyy acknowledged his last White House visit — cut short by a shouting match with both Trump and Vice President JD Vance — and told reporters in Brussels he hopes Monday’s meeting "will be productive" rather than a repeat of February’s encounter.

The upcoming meeting comes on the heels of Trump's summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Anchorage on Friday, where the U.S. leader shifted from demanding a ceasefire to calling for a final peace deal. Trump discussed some of the details of his meeting with Putin during a phone call with Zelenskyy from Air Force One.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Amanda Macias

Trump says Zelenskyy can end Russia war 'almost immediately' before hosting seven European leaders

President Donald Trump said Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could end the war with Russia "almost immediately" if he wanted. 

Trump's comments come ahead of his scheduled meeting with Zelenskyy and several European leaders in Washington, D.C. on Monday.

"President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!"

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb confirmed Sunday they would attend the meeting in Washington.

Their joint presence underscores Europe’s push to present a united front as Russia’s war drags on.

Zelenskyy met von der Leyen in Brussels ahead of the Trump talks to set priorities for the White House meeting, focusing on long-term military aid, Ukraine’s EU ambitions, and bolstering transatlantic solidarity against Russian aggression.

Von der Leyen said at a joint press conference she was glad to join Zelenskyy and other leaders in Washington on Monday.

Trump called it a "great honor." 

Fox News' Amanda Macias contributed to this report