European markets conclude with a blend of gains and losses following a careful trading day
Headline: U.S.-European Leaders Gather at White House for Peace Talks on Ukraine
In a significant diplomatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted a meeting with several European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on August 18, 2025. The focus of the meeting was on renewing coordination efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace that protects Ukraine’s vital interests and European security.
The meeting was described as positive and cordial, with significant emphasis placed on security guarantees as a priority. President Trump emphasized his commitment to stopping the war's bloodshed by arranging a bilateral meeting between President Putin and President Zelenskyy, viewing this as a necessary step before any larger negotiations or peace settlement. Trump repeatedly stressed the urgency, pushing for meetings and resolutions to happen immediately rather than months later.
The European leaders publicly pressed for security guarantees for Ukraine as part of any peace deal and suggested that a ceasefire would be required before further talks or trilateral meetings involving Russia. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed appreciation for the dialogue and personal efforts by Trump toward peace, while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and several European leaders credited President Trump for restarting the stalled talks with Russia.
There was no direct discussion of Ukrainian territorial concessions during the meeting; President Macron specifically stated that such issues must be handled in separate bilateral or trilateral negotiations. Security guarantees discussed include enhanced military, intelligence, and training support for Ukraine, which Zelenskyy indicated was essential for Ukraine to agree to any deal. Trump referred to providing “very good protection” to Ukraine, involving both U.S. and European roles.
Trump outlined a proposed sequence: first a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy to establish a working relationship, then a follow-up meeting between Trump and the two leaders to finalize peace terms if progress is made.
In the financial markets, the UK market saw several companies, including Babcock International, Standard Chartered, BAE Systems, British American Tobacco, Beazley, AstraZeneca, Endeavour Mining, Haleon, Convatec Group, Sainsbury (J), Vodafone Group, and GSK, closing higher by 1 to 1.8%. In the French market, Thales, Unibail Rodamco, Sanofi, Legrand, Safran, and Hermes International gained 0.4 to 1.4%, while Credit Agricole, Societe Generale, BNP Paribas, Engie, AXA, Airbus, Renault, Saint Gobain, Stellantis, and Vinci lost 1.2 to 2% [1][2].
Meanwhile, the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and several European leaders is scheduled at the White House today. The meeting will discuss peace efforts, security guarantees, territorial issues, and further support to Ukraine. The Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole Symposium will commence on Thursday, featuring keynote speeches from top central bankers, including Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
[1] Source: Reuters [2] Source: Financial Times [3] Source: BBC News [4] Source: CNN [5] Source: The New York Times
Market Updates:
- In the UK market, several companies, including Babcock International, closed higher by 5.3%. Other companies, like Standard Chartered, BAE Systems, British American Tobacco, Beazley, AstraZeneca, Endeavour Mining, Haleon, Convatec Group, Sainsbury (J), Vodafone Group, and GSK, closed higher by 1 to 1.8%.
- In the French market, Thales, Unibail Rodamco, Sanofi, Legrand, Safran, and Hermes International gained 0.4 to 1.4%, while Credit Agricole, Societe Generale, BNP Paribas, Engie, AXA, Airbus, Renault, Saint Gobain, Stellantis, and Vinci lost 1.2 to 2%.
- Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 closed down by 0.18% and 0.5%, respectively, and Switzerland's SMI ended 0.02% down.
- The pan-European Stoxx 600 edged up 0.08%, while the U.K.'s FTSE 100 gained 0.21%.
- Glencore ended down 3.84%. Several other companies, including Centrica, Berkeley Group Holdings, Anglo American Plc, Mondia, Aviva, Segro, Rio Tinto, Legal & General, Barratt Redrow, and M&G, lost 1 to 2.5%.
- In Germany, Rheinmetall, Bayer, and Siemens Energy gained 2.1 to 2.5%.
- Among other European markets, Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Turkiye closed higher.
- Commerzbank closed down by 3.2% following a rating downgrade by Deutsche Bank in Germany.
- Austria and Norway closed flat, while the Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Russia, Spain, and Sweden ended weak.
- Veolia Environment closed lower by about 2.3% in the French market.
- Fresenius, Symrise, RWE, and Zalando also ended notably higher in Germany.
- Deutsche Post, Daimler Truck Holding, Hannover Rueck, Sartorius, Brenntag, Mercedes-Benz, Vonovia, Merck, Continental, Allianz, BMW, Porsche, and MTU Aero Engines lost 0.8 to 2.1% in Germany.
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