US-Ukraine-EU White House Meetings: Zelenskyy Softens His Tone, Says "Thank You" Four Times in 10 Seconds, Highlighting Differences Between US and Europe

US President Trump held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at the White House on August 18, followed by multilateral meetings with Zelenskyy and several European leaders.

The atmosphere of the meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump has attracted considerable attention. Six months ago, the two sides engaged in a heated argument in the Oval Office. This time, Zelenskyy softened his stance, saying "thank you" four times in the first 10 seconds of his opening remarks, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

According to multiple US and European media reports, during the multilateral meetings, Trump abruptly interrupted the discussion to call Putin.

Furthermore, differences between the US and Europe were highlighted again. Trump questioned the EU's position that a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine was necessary, insisting that a ceasefire was not necessary for peace talks. He also stated that the US was willing to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, but that Europe should be primarily responsible.

On August 18, Trump posted on his social media account, "Real Social," that he had begun arranging a bilateral meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at a location to be determined. Trump said that a trilateral summit between the US, Russia, and Ukraine would follow.

On security guarantees for Ukraine, Trump stated: Europe bears the primary responsibility.

At approximately 1:00 PM local time on August 18, Zelenskyy's car arrived at the White House. Trump greeted him at the West Wing entrance, where they shook hands, exchanged greetings, and took photos. An hour earlier, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British Prime Minister Stephen Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Meloni, Finnish President Stubb, German Chancellor Angela Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron arrived, and were greeted at the entrance by Monica Crowley, the US State Department's Chief of Protocol.

During a press conference before his closed-door meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump reiterated the US's willingness to provide security guarantees to Ukraine. "We will give them very good protection and very good security." He did not immediately deny the possibility of deploying US troops to Ukraine to provide security guarantees, but he did say that Europe should lead the effort. "They are the first line of defense, because they are there, but we will also assist them, and we will be involved."

Trump said that regardless of the outcome of the meeting that day, the US would continue to support Ukraine, saying, "This road is not over."

In an open session with the media before the multi-party closed-door meeting, Zelenskyy stated that all sensitive issues, including territorial issues, would be discussed during a trilateral meeting between the US, Russia, and Ukraine, and that Trump would work to facilitate that meeting. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that a trilateral meeting between the US, Russia, and Ukraine was the only way to resolve the issue. He suggested that a four-way meeting involving Europe might be necessary, "because when we talk about security guarantees, we are talking about the security of the entire European continent."

In the more than 20 minutes of public remarks during the session, the term "security guarantees" was mentioned nearly 20 times, demonstrating the importance attached to the topic by the participants. Zelenskyy stated that the parties would discuss security guarantees further, and that it was very important that the US sent such a strong signal and was ready to provide them. Zelensky also emphasized the importance of a comprehensive prisoner exchange.

According to multiple US and European media reports, during the multilateral meeting, Trump abruptly interrupted the discussion to call Putin.

Disagreements resurfaced, with Trump insisting a ceasefire is "not necessary."

During the public remarks at the multilateral meeting, German Chancellor Merz reiterated that European leaders preferred a ceasefire first. He said that the situation had entered a stage of "complex negotiations," and all parties wanted a ceasefire. "I can't imagine the next meeting (the US-Russia-Ukraine trilateral meeting) taking place without a ceasefire."

Trump questioned the necessity of a ceasefire. He said that a ceasefire would be a good idea, but that none of the "six wars" he had "resolved" began with a ceasefire. "We always went straight into negotiations."

At the opening of his meeting with Zelensky, Trump told him, "I don't think you need a ceasefire." This reiterated his position following his meeting with Putin: a comprehensive peace agreement is more important. Ukraine, on the other hand, has consistently demanded a ceasefire before initiating negotiations for a lasting peace.

In response to media questions, Zelensky reiterated the need to find a "diplomatic solution" to end the conflict and expressed his readiness for a trilateral meeting on ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Trump said that if all went well with the series of meetings that day, he would arrange a trilateral meeting between the US, Russia, and Ukraine, and that if it took place, there was a "reasonable chance" the conflict would be resolved.

Zelensky softened his stance by changing his attire and saying "thank you" four times in 10 seconds.

US media noted that after his opening remarks, reporters were escorted out of the Oval Office, and the meeting between Trump and Zelensky continued. According to the New York Times, Zelensky "survived" the first round of the series of meetings on the 18th. However, the two sides' meeting at the White House on February 28th erupted in a heated argument shortly after the start, ending the meeting unpleasantly.

To ensure the success of this meeting, Zelensky softened his stance and launched a charm offensive. The atmosphere was friendly, a stark contrast to six months earlier.

On August 18th, he veered away from his usual military-style attire, appearing more formal in a black shirt and jacket, though still refraining from a suit and tie. During the February meeting, Zelenskyy wore a black sweater emblazoned with the traditional Ukrainian trident. A reporter questioned him, "Why aren't you wearing a suit?" as disrespectful to the US.

CNN, citing a European official, reported that the US had advised the Ukrainian side not to insist on a military-style look this time. He ultimately opted for a compromise. During the bilateral meeting on the 18th, the same reporter mentioned Zelenskyy's change of attire, and Trump subsequently expressed his appreciation.

At the opening of the August 18th meeting, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Trump's "personal efforts" to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including securing European purchases of US weapons and equipment to aid Ukraine. CNN reported that Zelenskyy said "thank you" four times in the first 10 seconds of his opening remarks. During the February meeting, he was criticized by US Vice President Vance for not saying "thank you" to Trump. Zelensky also handed over a letter from his wife, Yelena, to US First Lady Melania Trump.

Russia and Ukraine continue to exchange fire

Before the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy, air defense sirens sounded again in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. The Ukrainian Air Force stated on social media that it had detected the takeoff of a Russian MiG-31 fighter jet capable of carrying the Kinzhal hypersonic missile, triggering air defense sirens throughout Ukraine.

According to a report by Russia's TASS news agency, citing the head of the Russian administrative body in Kharkiv Oblast, Gachev, Russian forces are encircling the city of Kupyansk in Kharkiv Oblast, attempting to recapture this key transportation hub. Due to the strong Ukrainian defenses, the Russian forces are unable to launch a frontal assault.

A Russian Ministry of Defense report on August 18 indicated that Russian drone operators destroyed two German-made Ukrainian Panther tanks in Kharkiv Oblast. That same day, Russian forces used aerial bombs to destroy two temporary Ukrainian military deployments in the Donetsk region.

Citing Russian military experts, TASS reported that Ukrainian forces attempted a counterattack in the Sumy Oblast region but were repelled by Russian forces.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff stated on social media on August 18 that Ukrainian unmanned systems forces, coordinated with other Ukrainian units, attacked the Nikolskoye oil pumping station in Russia early that morning, completely halting the station's oil pumping operations into the Friendship pipeline.