Keir Starmer arrives at White House
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived at the White House.
Keir Starmer arrives at the White House for key talks on the Ukraine war (AFP/Getty)
Katie Hawkinson18 August 2025 17:25
Watch: Behind the scenes at the White House with The Independent ahead of Zelensky meetingBehind the scenes at the White House with The Independent ahead of Zelensky meeting
Katie Hawkinson18 August 2025 17:20
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has arrived at the White House.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has also arrived.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte arrives at the White House (AFP/Getty)
Katie Hawkinson18 August 2025 17:20
Watch live: European leaders arrive at White House
Several European leaders are set to arrive at the White House this afternoon.
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have already landed in the Washington, D.C., area.
Katie Hawkinson18 August 2025 17:12
Emmanuel Macron arrives in Washington, DC
French President Emmanuel Macron has landed at Dulles International Airport, just outside Washington, D.C.
This comes after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer landed earlier this morning at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
Katie Hawkinson18 August 2025 16:57
In pictures: Pro-Ukraine protest forms near White House
Pro-Ukraine demonstrators gather near the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday morning (Getty Images)
A pro-Ukraine demonstrator holds a sign that reads, ‘We stand with Ukraine.’ Trump and Zelensky are set to meet this afternoon in the Oval Office (REUTERS)
Katie Hawkinson18 August 2025 16:55
Watch: How Trump and Zelensky’s explosive first White House meeting played out
In February, the pair’s critical talks on Ukraine erupted into a shouting match in the Oval Office.
Here’s how the meeting went down:
How Trump and Zelensky’s explosive first White House meeting played out
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky are due to unite for a second meeting at the White House following their explosive showdown. In February 2025, the pair’s critical talks on Ukraine erupted into a shouting match in the Oval Office. The US president and JD Vance shouted over the Ukrainian president; the meeting appeared to go south when the US vice president accused Mr Zelensky of being “disrespectful” when he said US security guarantees are necessary for a ceasefire. Mr Zelensky’s clothes, a departure from his usual military fatigues, were mocked by Marjorie Taylor Greene’s boyfriend. “I will wear [a suit] after this war finishes. Maybe something like yours, maybe something better,” Mr Zelensky retorted. The pair are due to meet again on Monday, 18 August, days after Mr Trump met with Vladimir Putin.
Katie Hawkinson18 August 2025 16:45
Who will join Trump and Zelensky in the Oval Office?
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will both be accompanied by staff during their Oval Office meeting, the BBC reports.
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, special envoy Keith Kellogg and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles are expected to join Trump.
Zelensky will be accompanied by his chief of staff Andriy Yermak and Rustem Umerov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
Katie Hawkinson18 August 2025 16:34
Zelensky set to show up in ‘suit-style’ jacket for Oval Office meeting after Trump complained about his attire last time
Katie Hawkinson18 August 2025 16:18
Zelensky met with special envoy Keith Kellogg
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg ahead of his White House visit.
“I thank @GeneralKellogg for the meeting and for the joint work with our team,” Zelensky wrote on X. “President Trump invited Ukraine and other European countries to Washington today – this is the first meeting in such a format, and it is very serious.”
“We discussed the battlefield situation and our strong diplomatic capabilities – Ukraine’s and all of Europe’s together with America,” he added. “Russia can only be forced into peace through strength, and President Trump has that strength. We have to do everything right to make peace happen. Thank you!”
Katie Hawkinson18 August 2025 16:03