Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives at the White House today flanked by a powerful coalition of European leaders, in a rare display of unity aimed at pressuring U.S. President Donald Trump to stand firm against Russia.
The hastily arranged meeting comes just days after Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where the U.S. leader abruptly abandoned his push for a Ukraine ceasefire and instead endorsed pursuing a full peace agreement. The move rattled allies who fear concessions could embolden Moscow.
A Diplomatic Show of Force
Joining Zelenskyy in Washington are European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Their presence underscores both the progress and peril emerging from Trump’s dialogue with Putin. By presenting a united front, the leaders hope to prevent any deals that could weaken Ukraine’s sovereignty or Europe’s security.
“It’s important that America agrees to work with Europe to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, and therefore for all of Europe,” Zelenskyy said on social media before the talks.
Trump-Zelenskyy Tensions Loom
The meeting is also a test of Trump’s relationship with Kyiv. In February, Zelenskyy endured a public scolding from Trump in the Oval Office for what the U.S. president called a lack of “gratitude” for military aid. The Ukrainian leader is now determined to avoid a repeat, even as Trump signals impatience with Ukraine’s territorial claims.
On Sunday night, Trump suggested Crimea annexed by Russia in 2014 was gone for good. “No getting back Obama-given Crimea … and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!” he wrote on Truth Social.
Zelenskyy quickly countered, stressing that any settlement must be lasting and not a repeat of 2014, when Putin used concessions as a springboard for further aggression.
Security Guarantees on the Table
European leaders say discussions will focus on “NATO-like” guarantees to defend Ukraine against future attacks, a compromise floated by Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff. While Putin remains opposed to Ukraine joining NATO, Trump’s team has hinted Moscow could accept a Western security umbrella short of membership.
“How that’s constructed, what we call it, how it’s built, what guarantees are built into it that are enforceable — that’s what we’ll be talking about,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC’s Meet the Press.
Still, key obstacles remain. European officials confirm Putin continues to demand full control of the Donbas, a red line for Kyiv. An adviser close to Zelenskyy warned that rejecting Putin’s terms risks making Ukraine appear as the spoiler in peace talks a narrative Trump could seize on.
High Stakes for All Sides
For Trump, the White House gathering is another test of his self-styled role as peacemaker. For Zelenskyy, it is a battle to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty without alienating his most powerful ally. For Europe, the stakes are existential ensuring Russia cannot expand its war beyond Ukraine.
“If we are weak with Russia today, we’ll be preparing the conflicts of tomorrow,” Macron warned. “They will impact the Ukrainians, and they can impact us too.”
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