European leaders have convened in Washington, D.C., alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for critical talks with U.S. President Donald Trump.
This summit follows the recent Alaska meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which saw a notable shift in approach to the Ukraine conflict.
Leaders from across Europe, including France, Italy, Finland, and the UK, have united with Zelenskyy to present a firm stance against Russia’s demands and growing U.S. pressure for a swift settlement involving territorial concessions, particularly over Donbas and Crimea. They are advocating for negotiations that ensure a lasting peace rather than a temporary ceasefire.
Zelenskyy has stressed that “peace must be lasting, not as it was after Crimea and part of Donbas were seized, only serving as a springboard for renewed aggression.”
With Ukraine’s NATO prospects diminished due to Trump’s position, the EU and U.S. are exploring alternative security guarantees. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff revealed Russia’s newfound willingness to allow Western countries to offer Ukraine protections similar to NATO’s Article 5 collective defence clause.
European officials emphasise these guarantees must be practical and enforceable, involving military and diplomatic commitments. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted ongoing discussions on the details of such protections.
Putin’s demands, as conveyed by Trump, include Ukraine permanently relinquishing Crimea and forsaking NATO membership ambitions, alongside withdrawing from Donbas in exchange for frozen frontlines elsewhere—terms Zelenskyy has firmly rejected.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen supports Zelenskyy’s rejection, reaffirming stricter sanctions on Russia and insisting that only Ukraine can determine its destiny.
The European delegation also seeks U.S. backing for a trilateral summit with Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy, which aims to enable direct negotiations. However, Trump has yet to confirm his willingness to pursue such talks since the Alaska summit.