Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is headed to Washington, backed by key European leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
They'll join Zelenskyy as he meets U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday to secure strong security guarantees and push for a peace deal in the Ukraine conflict.
After Trump's high-profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, he's reportedly pushing Kyiv toward a quick agreement, prioritizing a peace deal over a preliminary ceasefire. "If peace is not possible… people will continue to die by the thousands," noted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlighting the human cost at stake.
In a recent social media post, Trump hinted at "BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA," though details remain under wraps. Meanwhile, top U.S. envoys are reportedly exploring an "Article 5-like" defense pact that would offer Ukraine collective security assurances—an idea Russia is said to have quietly accepted for the first time.
Before flying to Washington, Zelenskyy met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels. They agreed that joining the EU is integral to Ukraine's long-term security. Von der Leyen also confirmed plans for the EU's 19th sanctions package against Moscow, set to be unveiled early next month.
Chancellors and prime ministers from Germany, France, the U.K., Finland and Italy—including Friedrich Merz, Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, Alexander Stubb and Giorgia Meloni—held a coordinating meeting on Sunday to lock down robust guarantees for Kyiv, with a U.S. role at its core.
In a joint statement, the European leaders said they're ready to push for a trilateral summit between Zelenskyy, Trump and Putin—an unprecedented move that could redefine the path to peace in Europe.
As Zelenskyy heads to the U.S. capital, all eyes are on whether this coalition of Western powers can translate diplomatic momentum into concrete security and a roadmap to end the war.
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Europeans set to support Zelenskyy in Washington talks with Trump
cgtn.com
