US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States would support Europe in giving Ukraine long-term security guarantees, even as some European leaders insisted that a ceasefire was needed before any wider peace deal, Reuters reported.The talks at the White House brought together Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, NATO and the European Union. Trump also repeated his call for a three-way summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy.Trump signals shift on UkraineTrump told reporters, “When it comes to security, there’s going to be a lot of help. They are a first line of defence because they’re there, but we’ll help them out.”He added that a ceasefire was not necessary before talks, “I wish they could stop, I’d like them to stop. But strategically that could be a disadvantage for one side or the other.”Zelenskyy welcomes “signal” from WashingtonZelenskyy said their one-on-one meeting had been “very good”. He told reporters, as quoted by CNN: “This is very important, that the United States gives such a strong signal and is ready for security guarantees.” Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, seated from background left, France’s President Emmanuel Macron and President listen during a meeting in the East Room of the White House, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo)British Prime Minister Keir StarmerBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday’s meeting with Trump could be a “historic step” for Ukraine and Europe’s security.“I think we could take a really important step forward today, a historic step actually could come out of this meeting in terms of security for Ukraine and security in Europe,” Starmer said during a meeting with Trump and European leaders at the White House.Story continues below this adFrench President Emmanuel Macron: French President Emmanuel Macron offers an idea, a European leader at the table as well. “I think as a follow up, we would need probably a quadrilateral meeting. Because when we speak about security guarantees, we speak about the whole security of the European continent,” he said. France’s President Emmanuel Macron, left, and President Donald Trump speak during a meeting in the East Room of the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo)It seems unlikely Trump will warm to that idea, at least in the near term, as he works toward ending the war.German Chancellor Friedrich MerzWhen Trump met with Putin in Alaska last week, it opened a path for more serious negotiations, the German leader said. Merz reiterated that the European leaders are eager to see a ceasefire before more talks are held something Trump has questioned whether “it’s necessary.”Italian Prime Minister Giorgia MeloniItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said: “Italy stands with Ukraine and with Europe on this. Security guarantees are essential for peace to hold.”Story continues below this adNATO Secretary General Mark Rutte: Trump offering US support in security guarantees for Ukraine was a “breakthrough” to securing peace, Rutte said. He also thanked Trump for “breaking the deadlock” and bringing Putin to the table.Finnish President Alexander Stubb Finnish President Alexander Stubb praised US President Donald Trump for the progress made in talks to resolve Russia’s war in Ukraine.Stubb noted that “in the past two weeks, we’ve probably had more progress in ending this war than we have in the past three and a half years” during a meeting with Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and other European leaders.Stubb also highlighted Finland’s unique position, sharing an over 800-mile border with Russia and having been an autonomous part of the Russian empire from 1809 to 1917.(With inputs from agencies)