European leaders, including those from Germany, France, and Britain, will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington on Monday to meet U.S. President Donald Trump.
The meeting follows Trump’s recent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where proposals were raised for Ukraine to cede parts of the Donetsk region in exchange for Russia relinquishing smaller areas.
European allies are focused on ensuring Ukraine’s voice is heard in negotiations to end the war, which has caused over 1 million casualties since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
On Sunday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host a virtual meeting of the “coalition of the willing” to bolster Zelenskyy’s stance.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will also attend the Washington meeting.
The German government stated:
The talks will address, among other things, security guarantees, territorial issues, and continued support for Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression.
European leaders aim to secure robust security guarantees for Ukraine, including U.S. involvement, and maintain pressure on Moscow through sanctions.
Trump has pushed for a swift peace deal, suggesting Ukraine should negotiate without a prior ceasefire, a shift from his earlier stance.
After the Alaska summit, he reportedly told Zelenskyy that Putin offered to freeze front lines if Ukraine ceded Donetsk, a demand Zelenskyy rejected.
European leaders and Zelenskyy insist on a ceasefire as a prerequisite for lasting peace.
Zelenskyy stated on social media, “Stopping the killing is a key element of stopping the war.”
Concerns remain that a deal without Ukraine’s full involvement could favor Russia, with former British defence secretary Ben Wallace warning of “appeasement” risks.
European leaders are determined to avoid a repeat of Zelenskyy’s February Oval Office meeting, where he faced public criticism from Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
They advocate for a trilateral summit involving Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy to ensure Ukraine shapes its future.
A European government official emphasized the need for “a very robust commitment” from the U.S. for Ukraine’s security.
The joint effort reflects a unified push for a fair peace that protects Ukraine’s sovereignty and Europe’s security interests.