BERLIN/LONDON, Aug 17 – European leaders are set to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as he travels to Washington on Monday for critical talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. The high-profile visit underscores mounting concerns across Europe that Ukraine could be pressured into accepting a peace settlement that might cement Russia’s hold on large swathes of its territory.
The group accompanying Zelenskiy includes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Finland’s President Alexander Stubb. Their united front is designed to strengthen Zelenskiy’s hand in negotiations and signal Europe’s refusal to let Ukraine be sidelined in discussions about its future.
A day earlier, Merz, Macron, and Starmer convened a meeting of European allies to coordinate strategies ahead of the Washington trip. The leaders emphasized the importance of securing long-term security guarantees for Kyiv, particularly those involving a U.S. commitment.
Tense Backdrop Ahead of Talks
The upcoming talks follow Trump’s surprise meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska just days earlier. According to people familiar with the discussions, the two leaders explored proposals under which Russia would hand back small occupied areas in exchange for Ukraine ceding fortified eastern territories and effectively freezing the front lines. For Kyiv, such terms would be almost impossible to accept, as they risk legitimizing Russia’s control over significant parts of Ukraine.
The war, which has stretched into its fourth year, has already taken a staggering toll, with more than a million people killed or wounded. European governments fear that Trump, eager to strike a deal, might pressure Ukraine into concessions that could fracture Western unity and weaken deterrence against further Russian aggression.
European leaders also remain cautious after Zelenskiy’s last visit to Washington earlier this year ended disastrously. Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly rebuked the Ukrainian leader, accusing him of ingratitude and disrespect. Determined to avoid a repeat, European allies want to ensure Zelenskiy has political cover and moral backing as he faces off with Trump.
In the run-up to the Washington visit, European capitals have pushed for a trilateral meeting involving Trump, Putin, and Zelenskiy. The goal is to ensure Ukraine has a direct voice in any discussions shaping its territorial integrity and sovereignty, rather than being left out of high-stakes deals.
Putin’s Hardline Position
Putin, for his part, has shown little inclination to soften his demands. Following the Alaska talks, he briefed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and spoke with Kazakhstan’s leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, signaling his efforts to keep regional allies aligned. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held discussions with his counterparts from Turkey and Hungary. While Turkey has maintained open channels with both Kyiv and Moscow, Hungary continues to resist European Union efforts to isolate Putin.
Trump, speaking after his meeting with Putin, emphasized that Ukraine should consider a deal quickly because “Russia is a very big power, and they’re not.” Reports suggest that during a follow-up call, Trump relayed Putin’s demand that Ukraine cede all of Donetsk, a heavily contested region where Moscow already controls roughly three-quarters of the territory. Zelenskiy flatly rejected the demand, reiterating that Ukraine would not legitimize Russia’s territorial ambitions.
Trump also signaled a shift in his stance on a ceasefire. He had previously stated that a ceasefire was necessary before any peace process could move forward. After meeting Putin, however, he aligned with Moscow’s view that talks should move forward without halting the fighting. Zelenskiy, responding to the change, stressed that ending hostilities was essential. In a statement posted on X, he emphasized that ending the bloodshed is essential to bringing the war to a halt.
Despite months of Russian advances, Ukrainian forces have recently reclaimed small pockets of territory where Russian troops had gained ground. However, Putin remains firm on long-standing demands, including preventing Ukraine from joining NATO. He warned Kyiv and its allies not to engage in “behind-the-scenes intrigue” that could derail what he described as fragile progress toward peace.
European leaders view these upcoming negotiations as a turning point. Their aim is not only to secure firm security guarantees for Ukraine but also to demonstrate unity in the face of mounting Russian pressure. By traveling together with Zelenskiy, they want to send a clear message to both Trump and Putin: Ukraine’s future cannot be decided without Ukraine at the table.
The Washington talks are expected to focus on three key areas: potential territorial compromises, long-term security assurances, and continued sanctions pressure on Russia. While the road to peace remains uncertain, Europe’s show of solidarity highlights its determination to prevent Ukraine from being forced into a settlement that undermines its sovereignty.