European Leaders Set to Join Zelensky at White House for High-Stakes Talks with Trump
A major diplomatic showdown is brewing in Washington as European leaders prepare to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his meeting with US President Donald Trump on Monday.
The move comes just days after Trump’s inconclusive talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which reignited fears across Europe that the US leader may be leaning closer to Moscow’s stance on Ukraine.
President Emmanuel Macron of France set the tone on Sunday, declaring: “Our goal tomorrow is to present a united front between Europeans and Ukrainians. I don’t believe Putin wants peace. I believe he wants Ukraine’s capitulation.”
Who’s heading to Washington?
At least six European leaders and senior figures are set to fly to Washington in a united show of support. The line-up includes:
- Emmanuel Macron (France)
- Keir Starmer (United Kingdom)
- Alexander Stubb (Finland)
- Friedrich Merz (Germany)
- Giorgia Meloni (Italy)
- Ursula von der Leyen (European Commission President)
- Mark Rutte (NATO Secretary General)
The Washington talks are set to follow a tight schedule, with Zelensky’s meeting with Trump in DC already outlined in detail at Zelensky meets Trump today in DC with key timings revealed.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz even teased that the group would offer advice to Zelensky ahead of his face-off with Trump: “We’ll give a few good pieces of advice.”
Trump has floated the idea of Ukraine entering direct peace talks with Russia, a move that could force Kyiv to hand over territory. European leaders strongly oppose this. For them, a ceasefire must come first.
Zelensky made it clear in Brussels: “It’s impossible to negotiate under the pressure of weapons… So it’s necessary to cease fire and work quickly on a final deal.”
Von der Leyen softened the language but backed the core demand, saying: “Whether we call it a cease-fire or it’s a peace deal — stop the killings.”
For Europe, Ukraine’s fight is their fight too. The fear is simple, if Putin isn’t stopped in Ukraine, he could eventually try to seize European land.
Macron spelled it out: “We are going there to defend the interests of the Europeans.”
Behind the scenes, leaders are also pushing Trump to agree to long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, possibly involving European troops being stationed there after the war.
The Washington meeting will start with Trump and Zelensky one-on-one. After that, they’ll sit down for a working lunch before European leaders join in for bigger talks.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already hinted at what America expects: Europe will carry much of the burden when it comes to Ukraine’s future security.
Oleksandr Kraiev, from Kyiv’s Ukrainian Prism think tank, summed up the mood: “For Europe, the idea is to present Ukrainian security and defence issues as a European security and defence issue.”
This isn’t just another diplomatic trip. The talks could decide Ukraine’s next steps, set the tone for peace negotiations — and shape Europe’s security for years to come.
With Putin watching from Moscow, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
