In a powerful display of solidarity, a high-level delegation of European leaders will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a critical meeting in Washington, D.C. The summit is a direct response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which Trump described as a source of “big progress” on Russia.
The three-hour summit was the first time Putin had been on Western soil since the 2022 invasion. While no formal peace deal was announced, a U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff, stated that the leaders had agreed to “robust security guarantees” for Ukraine. Sources also reported that the leaders discussed a controversial land-for-peace proposal that would require Ukraine to cede eastern territory.
The delegation accompanying Zelenskyy 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.
The purpose of this collective visit is to ensure that any peace deal is not made at Ukraine’s expense. The leaders are focused on achieving a just and durable resolution that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, directly pushing back against any pressure to accept a swift but unfavorable settlement.