The visuals started when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky showed up at the White House wearing a suit instead of his signature military garb. He had long since humbled himself after last February’s disastrous visit when Donald Trump chastised him for being (in Trump’s opinion) improperly dressed, and for not saying “thank you” a sufficient number of times.

So it was smart of Zelensky — who obviously had come as a supplicant — to avoid that pitfall; but it was also a bow to the king that would not have been necessary if the “king” were possessed of a modicum of human kindness. I have to wonder whether an Arab sheik would have been criticized for wearing his traditional bisht, or an African leader for arriving in a dashiki.

But sartorial choices aside, the two men — flanked by their aides — held a press conference in the Oval Office before joining the European delegation waiting in another room. The body language of Trump and his minions — JD Vance, Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff — could not have been more different from last February’s meeting. Trump was smiling and gracious, also complimenting Zelensky on his appearance when a reporter first mentioned it. He even touched Zelensky’s arm a couple of times in a gesture intended to appear friendly.

He was the King of Schmooze.

But Trump’s words belied his toothy smiles. Amidst all the assurances of support and future security guarantees for Ukraine, there were still the none-too-subtle hints that a ceasefire during peace negotiations was now off the table, and that future security assurances, while decidedly necessary, remained to be ironed out.

Then Trump launched into one of his standard, rambling, irrelevant diatribes about how many wars and conflicts he’s ended this year (six); how his takeover of the capital city has already made it so much safer; and how “corrupt” and “stupid” former President Joe Biden — whom he blames for Putin’s war against Ukraine (not to mention his alleged theft of the 2020 election) — was and is.

None of which had anything to do with the purpose of yesterday’s meeting, which had hastily brought together six European heads of state — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian President Giorgia Meloni, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb — as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte.

The group appeared briefly on camera to introduce themselves and to state their principal concerns, which centered primarily on the future provision of “Article 5-style” security assurances* to Ukraine. And then they adjourned to meet privately.

* Article 5 of the NATO Treaty provides that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all.

In parting statements from some of the leaders following that session, very little detail was made available — again focusing on security issues, and indicating that territorial disputes would be decided by Ukraine and Russia, and not by third parties.

French President Macron said:

“We are going to need a strong Ukrainian army and will need to help Ukraine with boots on the ground. We will need peacekeeping operations which allies of Ukraine are willing to supply.” [BBC, August 18,, 2025.]

He added that Trump had indicated he would be “willing” to impose secondary sanctions and tariffs on Moscow “if Russia doesn’t play ball.” [Id.]

(Of course, we’ve heard that one from Putin before . . . how many times?)

Finnish President Stubb characterized the talks as “partially successful,” but said that there was “nothing concrete” from the U.S. as to its participation in any security guarantees. As to Trump’s proposed meeting between Putin and Zelensky, Stubb said the Russian president “cannot be trusted . . . We will see if Putin has the courage to come to such a meeting.” [Id.]

As a smaller nation sharing a border with Russia, Finland has the most imminent concerns as to its own security, and has recently begun increasing its military presence and securing its borders.

Meanwhile, in Lafayette Park, directly across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a press conference of his own. He talked about the possibility of a trilateral — or even a bilateral — meeting with Putin, saying that:

“ . . . if Russia proposed to the president of the United States a bilateral, then we will see the result.” [Id.]

Which brings us to the big announcement of the day: Donald Trump’s 40-minute telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin in the middle of the proceeding, which Trump said was to discuss a possible meeting with Zelensky. The time and place of such a meeting was yet to be decided; and whether it would be bilateral (Putin and Zelensky) or trilateral (to include Trump), or perhaps one of each, was unclear. But Trump posted on Truth Social that the details were being coordinated by JD Vance, Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, and said:

“This was a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years.” [RFE/RL, August 18, 2025.]

But . . . and remember that, when you’re dealing with Russia, there is always a “but” . . .

Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yury Ushakov, said on the Kremlin’s Telegram channel that “The idea was discussed that it would be worthwhile to explore the possibility of raising the level of representatives from the Ukrainian and Russia sides — that is, those representatives participating in the mentioned direct negotiations. Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump agreed to maintain close contact with each other on the Ukrainian issue and other pressing topics on the international and bilateral agenda.” [Lidia Kelly, Reuters, August 18, 2025.]

But . . . and here it comes . . . it was not clear from Ushakov’s statement whether Putin had actually agreed to meet with Zelensky personally.

*. *. *

So, was anything resolved by today’s meeting?

Finally resolved . . . well, no; but it appears to have been a major step in the right direction.

Tragically, the war rages on, with at least 14 people (including children) killed and dozens injured yesterday by Russian assaults on Ukrainian cities and villages near the front, including Kharkiv. Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said:

“That’s why Putin doesn’t want to cease fire. He enjoys shelling peaceful cities while talking about his desire to end the war.” [Constant Meheut, New York Times, August 18, 2025.]

Perhaps enjoyment is not the right word; but the events of last Friday and yesterday have certainly been strategically beneficial for Putin, allowing him still more time to (he hopes) make further territorial gains before possibly having to call an end to the fighting.

*. *. *

And now the real work begins — in Washington, Moscow, Kyiv, and across Europe — to keep the momentum going.

As Lenny Kravitz sang: “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over.” And right now, no one has any idea when that will be.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
8/19/25