Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, backed by a formidable group of European leaders, arrived at the White House on Monday to press U.S. President Donald Trump for robust support in ending Russia’s war on Ukraine. The high-stakes meeting, scheduled with Zelenskyy at 1 p.m. EDT and European leaders at 12 p.m. EDT, aims to present a united front against Moscow’s aggression, following Trump’s controversial summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last Friday, from which Zelenskyy was excluded.
Joining Zelenskyy 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 signals Europe’s resolve to ensure Ukraine’s interests are protected amid fears that Trump may push for a peace deal favoring Russia. “It’s crucial that America and Europe provide security guarantees for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy posted on X, emphasizing the need for a lasting peace.
The Alaska summit raised concerns after Trump dropped his ceasefire demand, aligning with Putin’s preference for a broader peace deal. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, revealed that Putin might accept NATO-like security guarantees for Ukraine, a significant shift, though details remain vague. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on NBC’s Meet the Press, described a potential defense commitment as a “big move” but stressed that both sides must make concessions. However, Zelenskyy firmly opposes ceding any territory, particularly the Donbas region, which Putin seeks to control, citing Ukraine’s constitution and the risk of future Russian attacks.
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Trump’s Sunday social media post intensified tensions, urging Zelenskyy to accept Russia’s annexation of Crimea and abandon NATO ambitions, conditions Kyiv rejects. Zelenskyy countered, stressing that peace must not repeat past failures when Russia used annexed territories as a “springboard” for further aggression. European leaders, wary of a repeat of February’s heated Oval Office clash where Trump berated Zelenskyy, aim to bolster Ukraine’s position. Macron warned that weakness toward Russia could threaten Europe, advocating for stronger Ukrainian military support.
The meeting follows months of diplomatic efforts, including a July NATO deal for U.S. weapons purchases for Ukraine and Zelenskyy’s April Vatican meeting with Trump, which eased earlier tensions. As Zelenskyy pushes for a trilateral summit with Trump and Putin to address territorial issues, Monday’s talks will test transatlantic unity and Trump’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty.
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