Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House marked a pivotal moment in negotiations to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, with European leaders joining to push for robust security guarantees. Unlike a tense February meeting where Trump criticized Zelenskyy, this summit saw progress, particularly on US involvement in Ukraine’s future security, aphysics

Zelenskyy emphasized that these guarantees, involving multiple countries with varying capabilities, would take time to finalize but are critical for Ukraine’s defense against future Russian aggression. He highlighted plans for Ukraine to purchase $90 billion in US military equipment through European allies, alongside potential US procurement of Ukrainian drones. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted discussions about an “Article 5-like” security guarantee, though unlike NATO’s collective defense clause, it would allow flexibility in support levels, which Zelenskyy deemed insufficient given the failure of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, where Russia, the US, and UK promised to respect Ukraine’s borders—promises broken in 2014 and 2022.

However, the issue of territorial concessions remains contentious. Trump’s recent alignment with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demands, expressed during their Alaska summit, raises concerns that Russia could push for control over Donetsk and Luhansk, regions Ukraine refuses to cede. Zelenskyy stressed that ceding territory would require a constitutional referendum, a challenging prospect given strong Ukrainian opposition and the lack of free voting in occupied areas. Russia’s demand for Donbas, including Ukrainian-controlled fortified areas, would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks, a risk Zelenskyy and European allies reject.

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A Gallup poll shows 69% of Ukrainians favor a swift negotiated settlement, reflecting frustration with the US as an unreliable partner under Trump. A deal rewarding Russia’s aggression could set a dangerous global precedent. Despite Trump’s push for a quick resolution, Russia’s readiness to “fight forever,” as stated by its negotiator in Istanbul, signals ongoing challenges. The presence of European leaders, including France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Friedrich Merz, underscored a united front to counter Trump’s earlier Russia-leaning stance, emphasizing the need for ironclad guarantees to secure Ukraine’s future.

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