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5 key moments inside Trump’s ‘big day’ with Zelenskyy, European leaders
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After meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week, President Donald Trump touted that he had a «very good meeting» with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders at the White House on Monday.
Trump, who has voiced he would like to put an end to mass bloodshed in Eastern Europe, called the multilateral meetings on Monday «a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years.»
In a Truth Social post after the discussions, Trump wrote, «I had a very good meeting with distinguished guests,» and that «everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine.»
Here are the top five takeaways from the president’s «big day» with European leaders.
1. Smiles all around
Monday’s summit marked a dramatic and noticeable shift from Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s now-infamous Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy in February.
TRUMP SPARS WITH EUROPEAN LEADER DURING UKRAINE TALKS OVER KEY STEP TO PEACE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gestures as U.S. President Donald Trump reacts during a meeting at the Oval Office of the White House, amid negotiations to end the Russian war in Ukraine, in Washington, D.C., Aug. 18, 2025. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)
During that meeting, the leaders were caught on camera getting into a heated argument over several topics, including Zelenskyy allegedly not being sufficiently grateful for U.S. support.
On Monday, all the tension seemed to have disappeared. Both Trump and Zelenskyy were all smiles throughout the day, and the Ukrainian leader received a warm welcome from Trump’s cabinet, including Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Both Zelenskyy and European leaders appeared more at ease with Trump throughout the day and took an optimistic tone. After the meetings, European Union President Ursula von der Leyen posted on X, «We are here, as allies and friends, for peace in Ukraine and in Europe. This is an important moment, as we continue to work on strong security guarantees for Ukraine and a lasting and durable peace.»
2. Wardrobe upgrade
Another marked shift from February was Zelenskyy breaking from his trademark jumpsuit attire to wear a suit, something he even joked with the press about while sitting in the Oval Office with Trump.
Zelenskyy, who has been criticized for wearing casual attire to meetings with world leaders, wore all-black attire, including a button-down shirt and jacket.
TRUMP: ZELENSKYY MEETING NOT ‘END OF THE ROAD’ FOR US SUPPORT IN SECURING A PEACE DEAL
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is greeted by US President Donald Trump upon arrival at the White House West Wing in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 18, 2025. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
«First of all … President Zelensky, you look fabulous in that suit,» a reporter told Zelenskyy after he sat down with Trump in the Oval Office.
«You look good,» the reporter said before Trump added, «I said the same thing.»
At another point during the Zelenskyy-Trump bilateral press meeting, the Ukrainian president ribbed a reporter for wearing the same suit he had in February.
«You’re in the same suit. You see, I changed, you’re not,» Zelenskyy quipped as both he and Trump burst into laughter.
3. Ceasefire not needed
On a more substantive note, Trump doubled down on his position that a ceasefire is «not needed» to broker a permanent peace between Ukraine and Russia. He cited his recent successes in negotiating peace agreements between other countries across the globe.
«I don’t think you need ceasefire. You know, if you look at the six deals that I settled this year, they were all at war,» Trump said during his press conference with Zelenskyy.
SENATE SIGNALS READINESS TO HIT RUSSIA WITH HARD SANCTIONS IF PEACE DEAL FAILS
President Donald Trump and European leaders gather for a multilateral meeting in the White House on Aug. 18, 2025. (REUTERS/Alexander Drago)
«I didn’t do any ceasefires,» he went on, adding, «And I know that it might be good to have, but I can also understand strategically why, you know, one country or the other wouldn’t want it.»
In a rare tense moment during the day, Trump clashed with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the need for a ceasefire.
Speaking with Trump and other leaders gathered around a large conference table in the White House, Merz said, «To be honest, we all would like to see a ceasefire at the latest from the next meeting on,» adding, «I can’t imagine that the next meeting would take place without a ceasefire. So, let’s work on that.»
He urged the leaders, «Let’s try to put pressure on Russia, because the credibility of this effort, these efforts we are undertaking today are depending on, at least, a ceasefire from the beginning of the serious negotiations from the next step on. So, I would like to emphasize this aspect and would like to see a ceasefire from the next meeting, which should be a trilateral meeting wherever it takes place.»
In response, Trump shot back that he is determined «to go directly to a peace agreement» without a ceasefire, saying, «Well, we’re going to let the president [Zelenskyy] go over and talk to the president [Putin], and we’ll see how that works out.»
NATO SECRETARY GENERAL TOUTS TRUMP TALKS WITH ZELENSKYY, EU LEADERS: ‘VERY SUCCESSFUL DAY’
Smoke rises over the Kyiv skyline after a Russian attack on Monday, July 8, 2024. (AP Photo/ Evgeniy Maloletka)
4. United European front
In addition to Zelenskyy, seven major European leaders were present at the White House on Monday, a rare occurrence signaling a united European front and something Trump called an «honor» for the U.S.
This follows Zelenskyy doubling down on Sunday that Ukraine will not agree to cede Crimea or any of its territory to Russia as part of a peace deal.
«Since the territorial issue is so important, it should be discussed only by the leaders of Ukraine and Russia at the trilateral [talks with] Ukraine, United States, Russia,» Zelenskyy said.
Trump said that though the U.S. would be involved with providing Ukraine with security guarantees after the war’s end, he said going forward, Europe must take much of that «burden.»
«I think that the European nations are going to take a lot of the burden,» Trump said. «We’re going to help them, and we’re going to make it very secure. We also need to discuss the possible exchanges of territory, taking into consideration the current line of contact. That means the war zone, the war line center. Pretty obvious. Very sad, actually, to look at them and negotiating positions.»
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Europe is aware that it will shoulder much of the weight of responsibility tied to various security guarantees — and acknowledged it is necessary in order to preserve each respective country’s safety.
‘HISTORIC MEETING’: GLOBAL LEADERS UNITE IN HOPES OF ENDING THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pose for a family photo amid negotiations to end the Russian war in Ukraine, at the White House in Washington, Aug. 18, 2025. (Alexander Drago/Reuters)
«In order to have such a long-standing peace for Ukraine and for the whole continent, we do need the security guarantees,» Macron said. «And the first one is clearly a credible Ukrainian army. For the years and decades to come. And the second one is our own commitments. All of us… You can be sure that the Europeans are very lucid about the fact that they have their fair share in the security guarantees for Ukraine, but their own security is clearly at stake in this situation.»
5. Putin on the line
Trump shared that he called Putin after the meetings and that there is already movement on the next step, that is, scheduling a meeting between Zelenskyy and the Russian president. After that meeting, Trump said there would then be a trilateral meeting between Zelenskyy, Putin and himself.
PUTIN STATES UKRAINE WAR WOULDN’T HAVE BEGUN IF TRUMP WAS PRESIDENT INSTEAD OF BIDEN: ‘CAN CONFIRM’
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 2025. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)
«At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy. After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself,» wrote Trump.
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In another post, Trump called the summit «a big day at the White House.»
«We have never had so many European Leaders here at one time. A great honor for America!!!» he wrote. «Lets see what the results will be???»
Fox News Digital’s Diana Stancy, Emma Colton and Amanda Macias contributed to this report.
donald trump,ukraine,russia,volodymyr zelenskyy,europe,white house,conflicts
INTERNACIONAL
La «fiebre del oro» de las mafias asalta las carreteras del sur de Italia y tiene en vilo a las autoridades
Las carreteras del sur de Italia son asaltadas a menudo por mafias que se enriquecen atracando furgones blindados con divisas. Su último golpe, con tiros y explosiones a plena luz del día, ha constatado su peligrosidad, mientras la policía reclama más medios y equipos para hacerles frente.
«Esta criminalidad está en auge tanto por los botines que logran como por la violencia que emplean contra las fuerzas del orden», explica a EFE el miembro del cuerpo de los carabineros (policía militarizada) y secretario del sindicato UNARMA, Nicola Magno.
Estas bandas campan especialmente por la región de Puglia (sur), el ‘tacón de la bota italiana’, y su última fechoría ha encendido las alarmas por su espectacularidad y su violencia casi paramilitar y porque ha quedado grabada por los teléfonos de algunos presentes.
Lunes por la mañana. Un furgón de transporte de divisas recorre la autovía entre Lecce y Brindisi cuando, a la altura de Tuturano, se ve inesperadamente bloqueado en el tráfico por la presencia de varios coches cortando el paso, uno de ellos envuelto en llamas.
El blindado frena hasta detenerse. En ese momento, varios hombres -entre 6 y 8- encapuchados y armados con fusiles irrumpen en la vía. Dos abren fuego contra el furgón, llegan incluso a dinamitarlo. Otros ponen clavos en el asfalto para sellar la escena.
La aparición de los carabineros deriva en un tiroteo hasta que los bandidos desisten y huyen con las manos vacías. Antes abren fuego contra los coches policiales, perforando el parabrisas de uno.
Tras de sí dejan una escena de auténtica guerrilla y numerosos conductores estupefactos. A una joven que iba a la universidad le roban el coche. Dos hombres son detenidos poco después, mientras que el resto permanece este martes en busca y captura.
Este asalto ha vuelto a poner de manifiesto un problema muchas veces ignorado: la criminalidad organizada que domina una parte importante de esta región periférica italiana.
El panorama de Puglia, según el último informe de la Dirección de Investigaciones Antimafia (DIA), está constituido por «múltiples organizaciones criminales caracterizadas por un acentuado dinamismo por las cambiantes relaciones en las alianzas» entre los clanes.
En esta región operaba la Sacra Corona Unida, una de las grandes entidades criminales junto con la Camorra napolitana, la Cosa Nostra siciliana o la ‘Ndrangheta calabresa, pero las alarmas actuales apuntan directamente a la llamada ‘Cuarta Mafia’ de Foggia.
La DIA ilustra que esta organización tienen dos intereses clave: la corrupción agrícola y los robos a furgones blindados y bancos, una actividad «que premia por su amplia remuneración y su prestigio».
El agente Magno cree que este hampa está detrás del reciente golpe: «Hablamos de una criminalidad muy feroz. La situación es peliaguda porque atracan con ‘kalashnikov’», advierte.
Los robos a mano armada a furgones no son el único problema en la zona, sino que empiezan a sucederse los ataques a bancos. La pasada semana fue desarticulada en la cercana Taranto la ‘Banda de las Marmotas’, que explotaba de noche cajeros automáticos: un total de 17 en un mes.
Pero otro motivo de desvelo es que la ‘Cuarta Mafia’ tiene entre sus filas a gente con experiencia militar. De hecho, uno de los detenidos en este último asalto es un ex paracaidista de la Marina Militar.
Este intento de atraco con armas de guerra y explosivos en una carretera del sur italiano, a pocos meses de la muerte de un policía durante una persecución en Bríndisi, preocupa enormemente y los cuerpos de seguridad, tanto pública como privada, exigen más medios y prevención.
Magno, que patrulla cada día este territorio dejando en casa a su esposa y su hija, sostiene que el valor de los Carabineros está más que demostrado pero, por otro lado, denuncia que «falta material militar adecuado» para hacer frente a este tipo de bandidos.
«Ayer uno de los coches policiales no era blindado. Durante el tiroteo, un proyectil atravesó el cristal. Están vivos de milagro», afirma.
Y, en la misma línea, la Federación de Seguridad Privada denuncia que episodios de este tipo «confirman la urgencia de reforzar aún más la protección» de este tipo de furgones, «cada vez más expuestos a formas de criminalidad organizada extremadamente violenta».
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Susan Collins shrugs off attacks by Democrats and Trump, says Maine voters ‘Don’t vote party line’
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Republican Sen. Susan Collins is well aware of the tough path ahead as she officially kicks off her 2026 re-election campaign in blue-leaning Maine.
Collins is the top target for Senate Democrats as they try to win back the chamber’s majority in November’s midterm elections.
«Chuck Schumer has made me once again — this is the third time he’s done this — his number one target,» Collins said in an interview with Fox News Digital soon after she announced her re-election bid, as she pointed to the longtime top Democrat in the Senate.
Collins took to social media a couple of hours earlier to declare, «GOOD NEWS! I am ALL-IN for 2026.»
LONGTIME REPUBLICAN SENATOR MAKES A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, departs the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, on July 24, 2025. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)
Democrats have long targeted the 73-year-old Collins, who was first elected to the Senate three decades ago, but keep coming up short.
«I will be outspent as I was in 2020, but fortunately, Maine people are famously independent. They look at the individual candidates, and they don’t just necessarily vote a party line,» the senator said.
Collins was one of the Senate Republicans who voted to convict after the House impeached President Donald Trump in 2021, following the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of the president aiming to upend congressional certification of the 2020 presidential election results.
IS THE REPUBLICAN SENATE MAJORITY AT RISK IN MIDTERM ELECTIONS?
And Collins has earned Trump’s ire with Senate votes that go against the administration’s wishes.
Trump has so far not made an endorsement in the pivotal contest, and has taken shots at Collins throughout the year for breaking ranks with him and Republicans, particularly when she voted in favor of bipartisan legislation that would have reined in his war authorities in Venezuela.
Trump declared that Collins and the handful of other Republicans that voted with Democrats to curb his war powers «should never be elected to office again.»
«Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats in attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America,» Trump said in a Truth Social post at the time.
When asked if Trump should weigh in, or stay neutral in the contest, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said, «I would defer to Susan Collins on that.»
«I think she knows how to run in Maine. She’s been incredibly successful there. She is a veteran campaigner who knows her state well and knows what works,» Thune said.
«So I would, I guess, defer to her on any decisions that are made related to her campaign and what she would like to see happen or not see happen in terms of endorsements, but we will be all in trying to make sure that she gets re-elected,» he continued.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins has earned President Donald Trump’s ire with Senate votes that go against the administration’s wishes. (Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo)
Her willingness to criticize Trump and to break with his policies may be beneficial to Collins, who needs support from independents and some Democrats to earn re-election.
«What I think the President’s criticism demonstrates is that I’m independent in the way I approach issues. I look at what the impact is on the state of Maine and what the impact is on the country and Mainers appreciate that,» she told Fox News Digital.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, leaves the Republican Senate luncheon in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Collins emphasized, «I support President Trump when I think he’s right, I don’t when I think he’s wrong, and that’s the approach I’ve always taken with all of the presidents with whom I’ve worked. I’ve never agreed 100% with any of them. So, this President is more outspoken when you disagree with him than previous presidents, but I think that I can fully justify how I have voted.»
TRUMP BLASTS GOP WAR POWERS DEFECTORS, SAYS THEY ‘SHOULD NEVER BE ELECTED TO OFFICE AGAIN’
But the Maine Democratic Party charged in a statement that «Susan Collins has spent the last 30 years betraying Maine, from stripping Mainers’ affordable health care, to casting the decisive vote to confirm Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, to voting with Donald Trump 94% of the time.»
«She now faces some of the lowest approval ratings of her career because Mainers see through her political games and fake shows of concern. In November, we will reject her at the ballot box,» added state party executive director Devon Murphy-Anderson.
National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chair Sen. Tim Scott called Collins «a battle-tested leader whose fierce independence has led to historic wins for Maine.»
But in a closed-door NRSC briefing last week to Senate Republicans, Scott pointed to the latest Fox News national poll which showed the GOP facing a ballot box deficit, and said it could impact specific Senate races this year.
GOP sources confirmed to Fox News Digital that Scott said the toughest challenge may be in Maine.
Democratic senate candidate from Maine Graham Platner speaks at a town hall at the Leavitt Theater on Oct. 22, 2025, in Ogunquit, Maine. (Sophie Park/Getty Images)
Collins is likely to face either two-term Democratic Gov. Jane Mills, who has the tacit support of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the DSCC, or political newcomer, veteran, and oyster farmer Graham Platner, who is backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, in November. The Democratic primary, which is expected to be competitive, is scheduled for June.
Collins charged that Democrats are working «to distort my record,» with Democratic-aligned outside groups running ads «that are provably false and that’s very disappointing. The people of Maine deserve better.»
Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills is running in 2026 to try and defeat Republican Sen. Susan Collins. (Getty Images)
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Asked whom she’d rather face in the general election, Collins said, «I leave that up to the Democrats to decide. I know that a ton of outside money is going to be poured into this race, regardless of who the Democratic candidate is.»
donald trump,senate elections,midterm elections,republicans elections,democrats elections,campaigning,maine
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Active shooter incident confirmed at Canadian high school; at least 1 suspect found dead: police
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Tumbler Ridge Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed an active shooter incident Tuesday at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, with at least one suspect found dead.
Police confirmed to Fox News Digital the «original suspect» is believed to have been found dead, but they are working to determine if there was a second suspect involved and the total number of victims.
«We have no confirmation at this time on the number of individuals injured or requiring assistance,» Tumbler Ridge RCMP wrote in a statement.
An active shooter was confirmed at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia.
7-YEAR-OLD INJURES HAND AFTER ACCIDENTALLY DISCHARGING FIREARM IN MARYLAND CLASSROOM
Police remain on the scene and have issued a localized police emergency alert.
Those in the Tumbler Ridge area are asked to stay inside, lock their doors and refrain from leaving their homes or businesses.
Additional police resources are being deployed to the area from neighboring detachments, along with the North District Emergency Response Team.
BROWN UNIVERSITY, MIT SHOOTINGS: ARE ELITE US UNIVERSITIES PREPARED FOR TARGETED VIOLENCE?
In a message on its website, the Peace River South School District said it is «aware of a lockdown and secure and hold at Tumbler Ridge Secondary and Tumbler Ridge Elementary schools.»
«We are asking people to have patience as we work with the RCMP,» school officials wrote.
Larry Neufeld, who represents Peace River South in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, released a statement on social media noting he is on the way to the scene.
«I am aware of the active shooter situation currently unfolding in Tumbler Ridge, and my thoughts are with residents as this situation continues to develop,» Neufeld wrote. «I have been in direct contact with the Solicitor General to receive updates and to ensure all necessary provincial resources are being made available to support local law enforcement and emergency responders.
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«Public safety is the absolute priority. I urge everyone in the area to follow RCMP instructions, remain sheltered, and rely only on official updates,» he continued. «I am leaving Victoria immediately to return to my riding to be on the ground and available to support the community in any way needed. I will continue to stay closely engaged as this situation evolves.»
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
canada,police and law enforcement,crime world,world
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