The German, UK and French governments want to decide on Sunday whose representative will accompany Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Washington on August 18, the German newspaper Bild reported, citing government sources.

CNN, citing sources, announced on Saturday that US Vice President JD Vance, who had previously clashed with Zelensky, would attend the August 18 meeting, while European officials expect one European leader to join the Trump-Zelensky talks in the White House, although it remained unclear who exactly. According to Politico, it could be Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

According to the publication, Trump allowed Zelensky to take European politicians with him, but there is no official invitation.

On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron, along with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, planned to hold another meeting of the "coalition of the willing" via video link on Sunday. That same day, Zelensky confirmed a planned visit to the United States on August 18 to meet with Trump.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump held talks in Alaska. The leaders met at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base. Their narrow-format talks in the "three-by-three" format lasted two hours and 45 minutes. The Russian side was represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential aide Yuri Ushakov. The United States was represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the US leader's special representative Steve Witkoff.

Trump scolded Zelensky at the White House on February 28 when he arrived to sign an agreement on the joint development of Ukrainian mineral resources. The US leader demanded that Zelensky agree to a ceasefire and stop criticizing Putin. US Vice President JD Vance called Zelensky an ungrateful agitator for the Democrats when he began to justify his steps, blame Russia, and even threaten the United States that they would feel the consequences of the conflict, although they are separated by an ocean. As a result, the Ukrainian delegation was asked to leave the White House, and the agreement was not signed. Later, Zelensky tried to apologize, noting that he regretted what happened, and also stated that he agreed to negotiations as soon as possible.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250817/europe-scrambles-to-accompany-zelensky-to-us---reports-1122633553.html

YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT.

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.

SEE ALSO: https://www.rt.com/russia/623016-lasting-settlement-essential-ukraine-putin/

SEE ALSO: https://www.rt.com/news/622931-eu-trump-putin-alaska/

SEE ALSO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p89d3VDQt54

SEE ALSO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqPQ6NdmHuo

Danny argues that the only real way to end the Russia–Ukraine war is through a direct peace agreement, not just a temporary ceasefire. Trump, who initially opposed sanctions and ultimatums, is now pushing for negotiations aimed at ending the war outright. An “air ceasefire” is being floated as a first confidence-building step to allow a Trump–Putin–Zelensky meeting, possibly within weeks.

However, major obstacles remain: Zelensky still insists on sanctions pressure, security guarantees, and “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.” European leaders also issued a joint statement backing security guarantees and rejecting any Russian veto over Ukraine’s EU/NATO path—positions Russia sees as core threats. This risks undermining Trump’s peace push, since Russia will never accept those terms.

The commentary stresses that Western leaders have repeatedly rejected diplomatic off-ramps (Minsk agreements, Istanbul talks, etc.), prolonging the conflict and Ukrainian suffering. If Zelensky or Europe block compromise, Putin will continue fighting until Russia secures its goals by force. The speaker urges Trump to call out Kyiv and Europe directly, warning that if they refuse peace, the U.S. should fully withdraw support.

Bottom line: the war can only end if Putin and Zelensky agree, but Western demands are seen as unrealistic, leaving Ukraine facing ongoing losses unless its leadership shifts course.

SEE ALSO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvemmPak41I

SEE ALSO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj1R2hM8Hjw