European leaders unite behind Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he heads to Washington for crucial talks. On Monday, Zelenskyy will meet U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss military aid, EU ambitions, and peace efforts.
Several top European officials confirmed their attendance at the summit. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and French President Emmanuel Macron are among them. They will be joined by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
European leaders unite in their message: Ukraine will not stand alone. Their presence in Washington sends a strong signal to Moscow. The war in Ukraine continues, and Europe remains firm in its support.
Before flying to the United States, Zelenskyy visited the European Commission in Brussels. There, he met with von der Leyen to align strategies. They discussed long-term military assistance, EU membership goals, and unity against Russian aggression.
Speaking at a joint press conference, von der Leyen expressed her support. She said, “We will continue to support you for as long as it takes.” She also backed a trilateral summit involving Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S.
Von der Leyen warned of new penalties if Russia doesn’t end the war. “Our 19th sanctions package is ready,” she said. “It will move forward next month unless Russia changes course.”
Trump recently met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage. After the meeting, Trump suggested Ukraine consider a peace deal. He claimed Putin offered to end the war if Ukraine conceded key territories.
Zelenskyy rejected that idea immediately. He insisted Ukraine would not surrender land to Russia under any condition. “Only Ukrainian and Russian leaders should discuss territory,” Zelenskyy said. He emphasized the importance of the trilateral talks including the U.S. However, he admitted that Moscow has shown no willingness to join such a summit.
Zelenskyy hopes for a more productive conversation with Trump this time. His last visit to the White House ended in a heated exchange. As tensions remain high, European leaders unite again to push for peace. Their joint appearance highlights Europe’s firm stance: Ukraine’s sovereignty is non-negotiable.
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