Zelenskyy, European Leaders to Meet Trump in Washington as Push for Ukraine Peace Intensifies
After hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, Donald Trump declared that a deal should be reached to end the 42-month war in Ukraine, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.
On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet Trump in the Oval Office, followed by joint talks in the East Room with the leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the EU, and NATO. The gathering comes amid fears Trump may pressure Kyiv into accepting a settlement favorable to Moscow.
Trump, who recently suggested Zelenskyy could “end the war almost immediately,” appeared to shift from supporting a ceasefire proposal to backing Russia’s preferred route of negotiating a wider deal while fighting continues. Zelenskyy, however, has rejected Moscow’s conditions, including ceding more of the Donetsk region, insisting Ukraine cannot surrender territory.
European leaders joined the Washington summit to demonstrate solidarity and avoid a repeat of Zelenskyy’s tense February encounter with Trump. Ukrainian officials believe their presence could restrain Trump’s tone, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio maintained the Europeans were invited as part of ongoing coordination.
Despite strains in US-Ukraine ties since Trump took office, Kyiv remains reliant on American weapons and intelligence. With Russia grinding forward militarily and Putin vowing to fight until his objectives are achieved, Ukraine hopes to withstand pressure through European aid and unity.
