A coalition of European leaders is set to join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a critical meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. The coordinated diplomatic effort follows Trump’s recent summit with Vladimir Putin, which the U.S. President described as having made “big progress” on Russia. The leaders are concerned that Trump may be pushing for a quick peace deal that is unfavorable to Ukraine.
The three-hour summit in Alaska was a notable event, as it was the first time Putin had been on Western soil since the 2022 invasion. During the talks, a controversial proposal for a “land swap” was reportedly discussed, where Ukraine would cede a large fortified area in exchange for Russia giving up smaller pockets of land. A U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff, also confirmed an agreement on “robust security guarantees” for Ukraine.
The European delegation includes French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The presence of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscores the unified European approach to the conflict. Their joint visit is a clear message to the Trump administration.
The primary goal of the Washington meeting is to ensure that any peace deal is just and durable. The European and Ukrainian leaders are aiming to push back against any pressure to accept a quick settlement that could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.