In a remarkable display of solidarity, key European leaders will accompany Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House for critical discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump. An appropriately united front ahead of Monday’s high-stakes meeting
At Zelenskyy’s request, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed her attendance, joining forces with a delegation that includes French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to bolster Ukraine’s negotiating position.
This diplomatic flotilla arrives in the shadow of President Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where Trump hinted at a possible peace deal that would involve Russia retaining parts of eastern Ukraine, a proposition met with alarm in Kyiv and its European backers. The European leaders’ collective presence is intended to counteract any such proposals and safeguard Ukrainian sovereignty.
The meeting stems from a broader strategy: European leaders, acting under a “coalition of the willing,” are signaling their determination to ensure Ukraine remains central to any peace negotiations, not a party sidelined by external diplomacy. This preemptive unity underscores Europe’s insistence that any deal must uphold territorial integrity and justice for Ukraine, without forced concessions.
Beyond symbolism, this gathering follows a surge of coordinated diplomacy. Von der Leyen has already met Zelenskyy in Brussels, and the European delegation is aiming to shape both the optics and substance of Monday’s meeting. Germany has reiterated support for a ceasefire and security assurances, while France emphasizes a peace that is both fair and lasting.
