European Leaders Plan Emergency Call Before Zelenskyy’s White House Talks with Trump

Brussels, Aug 17, 2025 – A group of top European leaders from the so-called “coalition of the willing” are set to hold a joint conference call on Sunday, just hours before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travels to Washington for high-stakes talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. The discussions are expected to focus on Trump’s reported support for a controversial peace deal proposal with Russia, including possible concessions of Ukrainian territory.

European officials say the call will include leaders from Germany, France, Italy, the UK, and Poland, aimed at aligning a unified European response ahead of Zelenskyy’s White House visit.

European Leaders Hold Urgent Call Ahead of Zelenskyy–Trump Peace Talks on Ukraine War

Kyiv/Washington, Aug 17, 2025 – As Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares for high-stakes talks with Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, European leaders from the “coalition of the willing” are set to hold an emergency conference call on Sunday to coordinate strategy and prevent a peace deal that could reward Russian aggression.

The call will be co-chaired by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with participation from other Western allies.

During the Alaska summit on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded Ukraine withdraw from Donetsk and Luhansk in exchange for halting further offensives. According to insiders, Trump expressed support for the proposal, suggesting a peace deal could be possible if Kyiv ceded the Donbas region.

European leaders stressed that Zelenskyy must be directly involved in all negotiations, warning that no lasting peace can be achieved without Ukraine’s consent.

In a statement, Starmer said:

“President Trump’s efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. But the path to peace cannot be decided without President Zelenskyy at the table.”

Stay tuned for live updates on Russia’s war in Ukraine, diplomatic talks, and the latest political and military developments.

Russia Claims to Destroy 300 Ukrainian Drones, Targets Missile Storage Sites

Moscow, Aug 17, 2025 – Russia’s defence ministry announced on Sunday that its forces shot down and intercepted around 300 Ukrainian drones overnight, according to a report by the Interfax news agency.

In addition, Russian strikes reportedly targeted storage facilities for Ukraine’s Sapsan operational-tactical missiles, a weapons system Kyiv has been developing to strengthen its long-range strike capability.

The claims have not been independently verified, and Ukrainian officials have yet to comment on the reported attacks.

Zelenskyy: Russia Hindering Peace Talks, Calls for Global Coordination Ahead of Trump Meeting.

Kyiv, Aug 17, 2025 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Russia is obstructing efforts to end the war, stressing that Moscow continues to reject calls for a ceasefire.

In a message shared on X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskyy wrote that Russia has “not yet determined when it will stop the killing,” making peace efforts more difficult. He warned that if Moscow cannot even agree to halt strikes, achieving “peaceful coexistence with neighbors for decades” will require far greater effort.

Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine is in constant coordination with international partners to push for peace and security. He also said preparations are underway for Monday’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, describing it as a crucial step in clarifying details of a potential peace framework.

Zelenskyy accuses Russia of blocking peace talks, urges global coordination ahead of Trump meeting, saying Moscow still refuses a ceasefire.

Trump’s Attack on Press Freedom Highlights Global Threat to Independent Journalism

Donald Trump is using his power to target and punish media outlets that refuse to follow his orders or report critically on his policies. His actions include press bans, lawsuits, and hand-picking a pool of reporters — a direct assault on press freedom.

But this danger extends far beyond Trump. Around the world, economic pressures and authoritarian leaders are challenging journalists’ ability to report freely. From Trump in the US to Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, those in power are working to weaken or control independent journalism.

At The Guardian, we stand firmly against these attacks. Unlike many media organisations, we are independently owned by a trust, with no billionaire backers or shareholders dictating what we cover. Our only mission is to deliver fearless, high-quality reporting and hold the powerful to account.

This is a crucial moment: as global crises unfold and press freedom comes under attack, independent, well-funded journalism is more important than ever. Our job is not just to resist Trump’s efforts to silence the media, but also to focus on stories that matter most for people’s lives — and to inspire hope for a better future.

As Guardian columnist Rebecca Solnit reminds us, “authentic hope requires clarity and imagination.” That is what we strive to provide: truth, context, and the courage to confront power.

With support from readers in Bangladesh and worldwide, we can continue to deliver journalism that makes a difference — free from political or corporate influence.