President Donald Trump made some false claims to the press while meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Monday – including a long-debunked claim that the US has given Ukraine more than $300 billion in wartime aid.

Trump and Zelensky first fielded questions from reporters in a joint session, which largely saw the pair exchange pleasantries and speak to the need to resolve the conflict. Small steps one-by-one may get the region to peace.

Ukraine’s president condemns Russia’s “cynical” strikes before his meeting with Trump at 13:00 EST (18:00 BST).

President Trump said Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff are coordinating with Russia and Ukraine.

Keir Starmer described Monday's (18 August) meeting in Washington between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, and key European leaders as “good and constructive,” highlighting a unified approach to Ukraine's security and steps toward further negotiations with Russia.

It was a striking contrast to the meeting six months ago, when Trump, red-faced and angry, accused an agitated Zelensky of failing to show enough gratitude to the United States. The blowup was so heated that the Ukrainian delegation was sent from the White House without being allowed to eat their waiting lunch.

After witnessing the red carpet rolled out for Russian President Vladimir Putin last Friday; the jet flyover; the ride in the presidential limousine, many Ukrainians feared the American president’s bromance with the wily old KGB agent had reignited.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is returning to the White House, where he will be briefed on President Trump’s Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.