Pool Reports of October 17, 2025

Pool Report 1 - Good Morning & Lunch Lid til 12:40pm

Good morning from the White House on this beautiful fall day.

A lunch lid has been called until 12:40pm ahead of Ukrainian President Zelensky's arrival.

No updates have been shared regarding the president's schedule, but will keep you posted...

1:00 PM THE PRESIDENT greets the President of Ukraine
Stakeout Location
Open Press

1:15 PM THE PRESIDENT participates in a Bilateral Lunch with the President of Ukraine
Cabinet Room
Closed Press

3:00 PM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route Palm Beach, Florida
South Lawn
Open Press

Pool Report 2 - Waiting for Zelensky arrival

The press is gathered outside the West Wing for President Zelensky's arrival, which appears to be running a little late. Zelensky is staying across the street at Blair House, where a blue and yellow Ukrainian flag waves from the front of the residence.

A military honor guard is waiting in the lawn to line up along the driveway to greet Zelensky.

As we wait, the faint sound of music — "Chiquitita" by ABBA, "Maria" from West Side Story — is coming from the Rose Garden area.

WH comms adviser Margo Martin posted on social media the president is meeting with opera singer Andrea Boccelli. Some of his music has been playing, too.
https://x.com/margomartin47/status/1979230364741607527?s=46&t=-Fryv-WUcoW_Mg1M5zBACQ

Pool Report 3 - President Trump Greets President Zelensky

President Trump greeted Ukrainian President Zelensky outside the West Wing at 1:27p. Reporters shouted questions about whether it will be a productive meeting or Trump will provide Tomahawk missiles, but it does not appear he responded. Please check tape.

Pool has been asked to gather at press briefing room doors now.

Pool Report 4 - Meeting Begins

President Trump said Andrea Boccelli was at the White House, and said he is coming December 5 to perform at the White House.

Trump said "great progress" has been made and said he will discuss his call with Putin with Zelensky.

Zelensky thanked him for the invitation and congratulated him for the Middle East peace deal.

"I'm confident that with your help we can stop this war," Zelensky said. "This is an important moment."

Zelensky said he met with energy companies today who are "ready to help." He said he also had military meetings he plans to share details about.

"I think he looks beautiful in his jacket," Trump said

Qs TK.

Pool Report 5 - Qs on Putin meeting, Tomahawks, etc

Trump was asked if Zelensky will join in Hungary. "It's a safe country and they have done a good job." Trump said "to be determined," if Zelensky joins but said he will keep him in touch. "There is a lot of bad blood."

Zelensky said he needs to "sit and speak," "we need ceasefire." "We want peace," Zelensky said.

Zelensky said the most important thing is to have a "really strong security guarantees," and "weapons." He said bilateral security guarantees are important.

Trump was asked who is negotiating better, Putin or Zelensky and said "they're both doing a good job." Trump said they need to "get it done."
Trump said he believes Putin "wants to end the war."

Asked if Trump will provide Tomahawks: "We will be talking about that. That's why we're here."

Trump said India is not going to be buying Russian oil. Trump said Hungary is "stuck" because they are "inland."

On FLOTUS involvement with children: "She wanted to do it and she feels very strongly about the children," Trump said.

More on Tomahawks from Trump: "We gave them a lot."

Trump said he would be interested in Ukrainian drones for missiles: "We have a lot of drones right now, we build our own drones, but we also buy drones from others, and they make a very good drone. Drone warfare has really come to the fore over the last couple of years because of this war. I will say there's nothing like the jets."

More TK

Pool Report 6 - China, Submarine, Putin, Maduro

President Trump said he will likely be meeting with Chinese President Xi in South Korea. "It looks like that is going forward," Trump said. He said they have a good relationship. "China wants to talk."

Bessent said the two leaders have "great respect" and after China's escalation they weren't able to get in touch. He said he will be speaking with the Chinese Vice Premier around 8p tonight in DC and then in Malaysia.

Bessent said he hopes China will show them the same respect. He said things have "de-escalated."

Trump said, "we're in a very strong position" with China. He said he could move the Nov 1 deadline up if he wants to.

Trump reflected at length on being a peace keeping president, and the Israel deal.

On Venezuela boat strike and survivors: Sec. Rubio said he's not prepared to share more details. Trump jumped into provide those details. "It was a submarine."

"That was a drug carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs. Just so you understand, this was not an innocent group of people."

Trump said he just learned about a potential tunnel from Russia to Alaska. Zelensky said he's "not happy with" the idea.

Trump asked if Putin is trying to buy time:
"You know, I've been played all my life by the best… I think that he wants to make a deal. I made eight of them. I think he wants to make a deal."

Trump asked about why Maduro is making offers, and Trump said, "You know why? Because he doesn't want to fuck around for the United States. Thank you very much everyone."

Pool was dismissed. Lunch was waiting to be served outside the Cabinet Room doors.

Pool Report 7 - Helicopter lifted off without POTUS

Update: We are still waiting for President Trump to leave the Oval Office and gathered outside. However, the helicopter that would carry the president (I'm told it is not called Marine One if the president isn't inside!) just took off. Asking if it is to refuel. And now we wait…

Pool Report 7b - Helicopter left to refuel, WH confirms

WH confirms the helicopter is refueling and will return. I am also told that as we have been waiting outside, Zelensky departed the WH.

Pool Report 8 - POTUS departs WH, does not take Qs

President Trump walked out of the Oval Office at 4:15p and did not stop to take questions from reporters. As he made his way to Marine One, he pumped his fist and waved.

Trump was followed by the following aides: Walt Nauta, Chamberlain Harris, Natalie Harp, Stephen Miller, and Will Scharf

Marine One lifted off at 4:20p.

Handing off to reporters at JBA — safe travels to Florida.

Everyone else, have a great weekend!

Foreign Pool Report #1– Background for President Zelenskyy Visit to the White House

Good morning,

I am your foreign pool reporter for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to the White House today. Please feel free to reach out with any questions throughout the day.

Meeting Schedule

President Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump after 1 p.m. EST for a working lunch in the Cabinet Room.

This marks a departure from their two previous meetings earlier this year, both held in the Oval Office.

Logistics and Security

• President Zelenskyy spent the night of October 16 at Blair House, the White House's official guest residence, where he also stayed during his 2022 visit with former President Joe Biden.

• He did not stay there during his two previous visits to President Trump earlier this year.

• Security around the White House has been reinforced, with an expanded perimeter and large trucks blocking access several blocks away from the complex.

Overview

• This is President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's third visit to the White House since the start of President Donald Trump's current term.

• The visit focuses on strengthening U.S.-Ukrainian cooperation in defense assistance, reconstruction, and long-term security planning.

• President Trump is pursuing a mediating role in efforts to end the war, ahead of his planned meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Hungary. While no date has been officially set, President Trump said the meeting is expected to take place "in about two weeks or so."

• Ukraine seeks U.S. approval for additional weapons, including Tomahawk missiles and advanced air-defense systems.

• President Trump said on Thursday: "We need Tomahawks for the United States of America, too. A lot of them… So I don't know what we can do about that."

• The White House frames the talks within President Trump's "peace through strength" strategy, following the recent Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Ukrainian Delegation Activity (October 14–16)

Economic and Reconstruction Talks

On October 14, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko to review U.S.–Ukraine economic cooperation and the implementation of the bilateral agreement creating the U.S.–Ukraine Reconstruction and Investment Fund.

Finalized in April, the agreement provides a framework for channeling American investment into Ukraine's energy, infrastructure, and critical mineral sectors to support the country's recovery and long-term resilience.

Secretary Bessent also urged European allies to strengthen sanctions enforcement and target entities financing Russia's war effort through oil purchases or other means. The fund, now nearing operational status, is designed to direct U.S. capital toward rebuilding Ukraine's strategic industries and energy infrastructure.

Defense and Security Engagements

A Ukrainian delegation led by Chief of Staff Andrii Yermak and Prime Minister Svyrydenko met with major U.S. defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, ahead of President Zelenskyy's arrival.

Raytheon manufactures both Patriot and Tomahawk systems, which are central to Ukraine's defense requests.

Zelenskyy's Meetings in Washington

President Zelenskyy met with executives from Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, as well as with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and representatives of major American energy companies.

• With Raytheon, discussions focused on increasing the supply of Patriot systems, expanding joint production, and enhancing Ukraine's long-range defense capabilities.

• With Lockheed Martin, talks centered on F-16 aircraft, compatible missiles, and additional air-defense reinforcement ahead of winter.

• With Energy Secretary Wright and private-sector partners, Zelenskyy discussed rebuilding and securing Ukraine's power grid, heavily damaged by Russian strikes, emphasizing the need for sustained U.S. investment in the energy sector.

Zelenskyy said he expects his meeting with President Trump to build on recent Middle East peace efforts, stating that "the language of strength and justice will work against Russia as well."

President Trump–President Putin Call

President Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 16. He later told reporters that he had asked Putin, "Would you mind if I gave a couple of thousand Tomahawks to your opposition?"

President Trump said he had not made a final decision and noted that Putin "really didn't like the idea."

The President suggested that the potential delivery of Tomahawk missiles could serve as leverage to bring Moscow back to the negotiating table.

Both leaders agreed to meet soon in Hungary, with their teams now setting the date and logistics.

After the Alaska summit earlier this year, Trump said that a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy would occur with or without his participation, though it never materialized. He now appears to be pursuing a form of parallel diplomacy aimed at narrowing the gap between Moscow and Kyiv.

Speaking in the Oval Office on October 16, President Trump said: "I thought this would be quick — ending the Russian war on Ukraine — because of my relationship with President Putin. I thought this would be very quick. Who would think I did the Middle East before I did this? We ended a total of eight wars. And we're going to make this number nine."

President Zelenskyy's Objectives

• Secure additional U.S. military support, including long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles and expanded air-defense systems.

• Persuade President Trump to shift from diplomacy alone toward greater military pressure on Russia.

• Maintain U.S. commitment to Ukraine's defense and avoid delays in aid or sanctions enforcement.

• Build on the "momentum for peace" following the Middle East ceasefire to position Ukraine as the next conflict to be resolved.

• Advance long-term cooperation with U.S. defense and energy industries through joint production and procurement.

President Trump's Current Stance and Pressure on NATO

• President Trump has emphasized that future U.S. aid must be matched by European contributions under U.S. oversight.

• He has pressed NATO allies to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, citing global threats and the war in Europe as evidence that "peace requires strength."

• Recently criticized the government of Spain for refusing to meet the target, warning of possible "trade punishment through tariffs" and urging European partners to pressure Madrid or consider its suspension from the Alliance.

• The European Union has recently announced a new anti-drone defense system to counter Russian threats, expected to be fully operational by 2027. The initiative follows repeated Russian drone incursions into NATO airspace, including Poland, Romania, and Estonia.

Earlier Trump–Zelenskyy Meetings

• September 25, 2019 – First meeting during the UN General Assembly in New York, held days after the release of their July phone call that led to President Trump's first impeachment inquiry. Both leaders denied any wrongdoing.

• September 27, 2024 – Meeting at Trump Tower in New York. Standing side by side, President Zelenskyy said they shared "a common view that the war has to be stopped and Putin can't win," adding that he would present his "victory plan" to Trump. Trump responded: "We both want to see this end, and we both want to see a fair deal made. It should stop — and President Zelenskyy wants it to stop, and I'm sure President Putin wants it to stop, and that's a good combination."

• February 28, 2025 – First Oval Office meeting, remembered for an extremely tense exchange between the two leaders. The meeting ended without an agreement after President Trump conditioned further U.S. support on a ceasefire, while President Zelenskyy refused to commit and warned that Putin intended to prolong the war.

• April 26, 2025 – Meeting at the Vatican before Pope Francis's funeral, where Zelenskyy called for a "full and unconditional ceasefire," and Trump said most major issues were close to agreement.

• August 18, 2025 – Second Oval Office meeting ahead of a European summit following the Alaska talks with Putin, focusing on collective security guarantees and new aid.

• September 23, 2025 – Meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York, marking a shift in Trump's stance. He said Ukraine, with European support, was "in a position to fight and win all of its territory back," while Zelenskyy sought stronger sanctions and security guarantees. Both described the meeting as constructive.

Foreign Pool Report #2 – Delegation Names

A spokesperson for the Ukrainian delegation confirmed that the team arriving with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from Blair House, includes:

– Head of the Office of the President, Andrii Yermak

– Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov

– First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sergiy Kyslytsya

– Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, Olga Stefanishyna

As of now, the Cabinet Room meeting between President Donald Trump and President Zelenskyy remains closed press, with no updates or changes in access so far.

Moments ago, several people were seen entering the West Wing carrying large bags or packages, though it is unclear whether they were related to the Ukrainian delegation's materials or to advance arrangements.

The U.S. Marine sentries are already stationed outside the West Wing entrance, where the American and Ukrainian flags are displayed in preparation for the bilateral meeting.

Attaching a couple of photos for your reference.

Foreign Pool Report #3: Color form the cabinet room

Some color from inside the room:

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was seated at the center of the Cabinet Room table across from President Donald Trump. To his left were Olha Stefanishyna, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States; Svitlana Grynchuk, Minister of Energy; and Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.

To Zelenskyy's right sat Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President; Ihor Brusylo, Deputy Head of the Office of the President; and Pavlo Palisa, also Deputy Head of the Office of the President.

Live interpretation booths were set up inside the room, and the translation channels were audible at the start of the meeting.

Across from them, on the U.S. side, were Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine; White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles; and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. President Trump sat in the center opposite President Zelenskyy, with Senator Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and special envoy Steve Witkoff seated to his left.

The working lunch menu included a Fall Green Salad with crispy artichokes and shaved fennel; Pan-Roasted Chicken with sweet potato hash, snap pea fricassee, arugula and rosemary aioli; and for dessert, McIntosh apples and caramel chiffon with clementine ice cream and blackberry sauce.

Full quotes to come.

Foreign Pool Report #4 — Zelenskyy Full Quotes & Key Points

Key points from President Zelenskyy's statements
• He appeared willing to enter peace talks without insisting on immediate NATO membership, if there are alternative "strong security guarantees", potentially bilateral guarantees with the United States.
• Said Putin is "not ready" for peace yet, but argued Ukraine can stop the war "with [President Trump's] help," citing heavy Russian losses.
• Immediate asks: a ceasefire; increased pressure on Putin; more weapons—especially long-range missiles; and deeper U.S.–Ukraine cooperation on defense and energy.
• Open to talks "in any format — bilateral, trilateral" and floated a practical exchange: U.S. Tomahawks in return for Ukrainian mass-produced drones/joint production.

Full quotes:

Introduction:
"Mr. President, thank you very much for the invitation again… my congratulations on your successful ceasefire in the Middle East, thank you… and you did it, and I think this momentum to finish Russia's war against Ukraine… yes, we understand that Putin is not ready — I think not really — but I'm confident that with your help we can stop this war, and we really need it… we see that they don't have successful steps on the battlefield and it is good… I think their army has made a lot of losses, they have a lot of losses… and I think this is a very important moment… and I wanted to thank you, Mr. President: after our phone calls yesterday, I had a good opportunity to meet with big American energy companies and they are ready to help us after all these attacks on our infrastructure, Russian attacks on the energy sector… and I also had meetings, thanks to your team, with good military companies, we spoke about air defense and I want to share the details of where we are after those meetings… thank you so much…"

Possible concessions:

"I think we need to sit and speak now… the second thing is we need a ceasefire… even now you see, in the Middle East, it is very difficult to hold a ceasefire, everywhere, in every war, it is very difficult… we want peace; Putin doesn't want it… that is why we need pressure on him… we will speak with the President today about what we need… we understand what we need to push Putin to the negotiation table… and as I said previously, we are ready to speak in any kind of format — bilateral, trilateral — it doesn't matter, just peace… this is important… and we don't speak about NATO or naming NATO… for Ukrainians it is very important, of course; it is our decision — decisions of allies — to decide where we are… but the most important thing for people in Ukraine, who are under attacks every day, is to have really strong security guarantees… NATO is the best, but weapons are very important… allies on our side are very important… and between us and the United States, bilateral security guarantees between me and President Trump are very important — I don't know, we didn't speak about it — but this is the most important document, because the United States is very strong…"

Differences between Presidents Trump and Biden:

"President Trump has a big chance now to finish this war… President Biden now is not the president, so he doesn't have a chance to finish this war… and President Trump has really shown the world that he can manage this ceasefire in the Middle East… that is why I hope that he will do this and we will also have such a big success for Ukraine… it is a big chance, and I hope that President Trump can manage it…"

On Tomahawks:

"Just to be clear for today: of course we want to finish this war… but the war is now a technological war… you don't use just Tomahawks if you want to target military objectives… you need thousands of drones — and drones together with such missiles… Ukraine has thousands of our production drones, but we don't have Tomahawks… that is why we need Tomahawks… the United States has a very strong production and very strong missiles — Tomahawks and other missiles… but the United States can have our thousands of drones… that is why we can work together, we can strengthen American production… so this is what I understand…" (asked whether that implies a trade) "…yes… it's about military goals — only military goals… yes, we would authorize some kind of exchange… we have a proposition… we have great programs with our drones…"

On relationship with President Trump:

"About our relations with President Trump… I think we have important dialogues and I think we begin to understand each other… yes… and I know that the President is briefed very well about the situation on the battlefield… and you know a lot is going on on the battlefield in Ukraine… I think it really helps when you know a lot of things, a lot of details, about one or another war… it helps a lot… but we are still in the war, and I think we can manage…"

Foreign Pool Report #5 — Zelenskyy's departure

President Zelenskyy departed the White House shortly before 16:00 EST.

The bilateral meeting ran from 13:34 to approximately 15:50. President Trump had been scheduled to depart for Florida at 15:00 from the South Lawn, but we are still holding at 16:10; an initial helicopter lifted off without him and a second one has now landed.

Out-of-town pool report #1

Good afternoon! I'll be your print pooler for this weekend's trip to Florida.

Marine One touched down at sunny JBA at 4:28pm. President Trump waved to reporters and pumped his fist before boarding AF1 but did not stop to gaggle.

Stephen Miller and Natalie Harp are traveling with the president.

Out-of-town pool report #2 - wheels up

We are wheels up at 4:42pm.

Out-of-town pool report #3 - landed in Florida

Landed at Palm Beach International Airport at 6:24pm after a smooth flight. No visit from POTUS in the air.

He did, however, post on Truth Social that he pardoned George Santos.

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115391767709119144

Out-of-Town pool report #4 — POTUS on Russia and Ukraine

POTUS spoke briefly to press from the tarmac and said he told President Putin and President Zelensky to stop the war immediately and "go by the battle line wherever it is or else it gets too complicated."

"Stop right now at the battle line," he said.

Trump characterized the meeting with Zelensky as "a very good meeting, a very cordial meeting."

In response to a shouted question about how long the shutdown would continue, Trump said, "the Republican Party is not going to pay a trillion and a half dollars to illegal immigrants coming into our country, coming in for a lot of reasons, coming in from prison, from jails, from all over the place, from Venezuela, many countries. We're not going to do that, so the shutdown continues."

He did not take further questions from reporters.

Will Scharf, Walt Nauta and Chamberlain Harris are also here in Palm Beach.

Out-of-town pool report #5 — arrival at Mar-a-Lago

POTUS arrived at his Mar-a-Lago club at 6:52pm. Your pool did not see him exit his vehicle.

Out-of-town pool report #6 — lid

White House calls a lid at 7:18pm. Enjoy your Friday night!