Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives in Washington on Monday flanked by top European leaders, amid concerns that U.S. President Donald Trump could press Kyiv into accepting a peace settlement tilted in Moscow’s favour.
Leaders from Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union and NATO are joining Zelenskyy at the White House in an effort to present a united front and prevent a repeat of the tense Oval Office clash between Trump and Zelenskyy in February.
Trump is scheduled to meet Zelenskyy one-on-one at 1:15 p.m. EDT (1715 GMT), followed by a joint session with the European leaders at 3 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT), the White House confirmed.
The high-stakes talks come just days after Trump welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Alaska and declared that Ukraine could “end the war almost immediately, if it wants to.” The 42-month conflict has killed tens of thousands and uprooted millions, with Russia pressing gradual gains on the battlefield.
Ukraine Rejects Putin’s Terms
Putin’s proposals, discussed with Trump last week, reportedly include Ukraine relinquishing control of the remaining areas of Donetsk, where Kyiv currently holds roughly a quarter. Zelenskyy has flatly rejected this outline, stressing that Ukraine’s constitution bars the ceding of territory.
“We need real negotiations, which means we can start where the front line is now,” Zelenskyy said in Brussels on Sunday. He added on Telegram after landing in Washington: “Russia must end this war, the war it started. And I hope that our shared strength with America and our European friends will compel Russia to real peace.”
European Unity
European leaders coordinated with Zelenskyy on Sunday to ensure a common strategy, underscoring their fears of being sidelined in U.S.-Russia diplomacy. Their presence, Ukrainian lawmakers say, may moderate Trump’s tone and bolster Zelenskyy’s negotiating hand.
“It’s important for the Europeans to be there: (Trump) respects them, he behaves differently in their presence,” said Oleksandr Merezhko, a member of Zelenskyy’s ruling party.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed suggestions that Europeans were acting as Zelenskyy’s protectors. “They’re not coming here tomorrow to keep Zelenskyy from being bullied,” he told CBS. “They’re coming here because we’ve been working with the Europeans. We invited them.”
Strategic Crossroads
Relations between Kyiv and Washington have cooled since Trump entered office in January, but Ukraine remains heavily reliant on U.S. weapons and intelligence support. European financial and military assistance has so far helped sustain Kyiv, even as Russia maintains numerical and firepower advantages.
Putin has vowed to continue fighting until his objectives are achieved, while Kyiv hopes its defensive lines, combined with Western aid, can force Moscow into a fairer settlement.
The Washington meetings mark one of Zelenskyy’s most pivotal diplomatic tests since the war began.
Written By Rodney Mbua
