Trump and Zelenskyy to Meet Amid Ukraine War Tensions: European Leaders Show Solidarity
President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by stating that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could end the war with Russia “almost immediately” if he wants to. Trump’s comments come ahead of his scheduled meeting with Zelenskyy and several European leaders in Washington, D.C. on Monday. The meeting aims to discuss long-term military aid, Ukraine’s EU ambitions, and bolstering transatlantic solidarity against Russian aggression.
European Leaders Unite Behind Ukraine
Several European leaders, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, have confirmed their attendance at the meeting. Their presence underscores Europe’s push to present a united front as Russia’s war drags on.
Zelenskyy’s Peace Demands
Zelenskyy met with von der Leyen in Brussels ahead of the Trump talks to set priorities for the White House meeting. Von der Leyen emphasized the importance of long-term military aid and EU ambitions for Ukraine. Zelenskyy has outlined his peace demands, which include refusing to give away any territory or “land swap.” He has also expressed concerns about Trump’s proposal for a peace deal, which involves significant territorial concessions to Russia.
Trump’s Summit with Putin
The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy comes after Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, where Trump dropped his ceasefire demand and urged a final peace deal. Putin reportedly demanded that Ukraine hand over the eastern region of Donbas to end the war. Trump said the Russian leader was willing to end the war in exchange for key Ukrainian territorial concessions ¹ ².
Reactions and Implications
European leaders have expressed unease over Trump’s outreach to Putin, and Ukraine and its allies have criticized the pause on ceasefire talks as a way to buy time and allow for Russia’s battlefield advances. The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy will be closely watched, with implications for the future of Ukraine and the global community.
