WASHINGTON − The last time Volodymyr Zelenskyy
WASHINGTON − The last time Volodymyr Zelenskyy came to the White House, his meeting with President Donald Trump went so poorly that the Ukrainian leader was kicked out.
Trump mocked his clothes and Vice President JD Vance called him “disrespectful” in a February Oval Office meeting that turned into a televised brawl.
Zelenskyy is now on better terms with Trump. But when he comes to the White House to discuss a potential peace deal with Russia, he'll face a renewed hard line from Trump after the president's Aug. 15 meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Vance will take part in the August 18 Zelenskyy talks as well, a White House official told USA TODAY.
In a late-night Truth Social post, Trump put the onus on Zelenskyy to end Russia's assault on his country and ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine. He also said the illegally annexed territory of Crimea would stay with Russia, returning to a position he staked out months ago.
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 the Aug. 17 post. "...and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!"
The Ukrainian leader is scheduled to meet with Trump and his advisers in the Oval Office alone before an expanded meeting with European leaders.
Zelenskyy said in an X post as he arrived in Washington that a peace deal must be enduring. "Not like it was years ago, when Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea and part of our East—part of Donbas—and Putin simply used it as a springboard for a new attack
"I am confident that we will defend Ukraine, effectively guarantee security, and that our people will always be grateful to President Trump, everyone in America, and every partner and ally for their support and invaluable assistance. Russia must end this war, which it itself started," he said.
