U.S. President Donald Trump hosted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders at the White House on 18 August to push forward negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. Von der Leyen said the negotiators’ “common interest” was a just and durable settlement and urged that the return of thousands of Ukrainian children taken to Russia be treated as a top priority. Zelenskyy echoed the demand and also pressed for the release of prisoners of war and credible security guarantees for Kyiv. The Commission chief pointed to a U.S.–EU economic accord struck two weeks earlier—described by both sides as the largest trade deal ever concluded—as evidence of their ability to achieve major agreements. Trump said the peace discussions would build on that momentum and gave assurances that Western support for Ukraine’s security would continue while talks proceed.