Ukraine: The Latest BONUS: Putin and Zelensky to meet within two weeks & US 'to protect Ukraine as part of a peace deal'
Aug 19, 2025
Dominic Nicholls, Associate Editor of Defence at The Telegraph, shares his insights on recent high-stakes diplomacy involving Ukraine. He discusses the implications of the summit between Zelensky and Trump, analyzing whether it was a diplomatic win for Ukraine. The conversation explores Trump’s potential military commitments and Zelensky's strategy in meeting Putin without American presence. They also examine NATO dynamics and the ongoing efforts to secure peace, emphasizing the significance of personal interactions among world leaders.
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Cordial Oval Office Tone Masks Substance Gaps
- The Trump–Zelensky meeting was unusually cordial compared with February and avoided public drama.
- That tone reduces immediate risk but leaves many substantive issues unresolved for later talks.
Zelensky Avoids Photo-Book Pitfall
- Dominic Nicholls recalled Zelensky avoiding the February mistake of briefing with a photo book and instead kept interaction light.
- Zelensky briefly handed Trump a letter from his wife but the exchange passed without drama.
Security Guarantees Became The Central Demand
- European leaders repeatedly framed progress around 'security guarantees' as the pathway to lasting peace.
- That phrase now carries heavy expectation despite unclear US willingness to deliver a NATO-style guarantee.