European Leaders Meet Zelensky at the White House
On Monday, European leaders will gather with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, a significant meeting coming on the heels of former President Trump’s historic summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced on social media that she would be attending this meeting “at the request of President Zelensky.”
Additionally, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s office confirmed that he would travel to Washington for discussions involving Zelensky and other European leaders. The aim is to “exchange information” following discussions between Trump and Putin, with Merz focusing on peace efforts and emphasizing Germany’s desire for a quick resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
The statement indicated that the meeting would cover areas such as ongoing security support for Ukraine, addressing territorial disputes, and countering Russian aggression while maintaining pressure through sanctions.
French President Emmanuel Macron is also set to be present, as reported by his office. Other attendees will include British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with confirmations coming from multiple sources.
NATO’s Executive Director, Mark Lett, has also been confirmed to participate in the discussions.
The meeting arises as European leaders have reaffirmed their support for Ukraine over the weekend.
In a conversation aboard Air Force One, Trump appeared to shift his stance on the conflict, advocating for a direct peace agreement without a ceasefire. “To end the horrific war, we should strive for a peace agreement that resolves the conflict without just pausing it,” he stated in a post on Truth Social early Saturday morning.
Trump also mentioned that Zelensky would be visiting the Oval Office on Monday afternoon and expressed hopes for a subsequent meeting with Putin if all goes as planned.
Zelensky, acknowledging his support for a trilateral meeting involving these key leaders, highlighted the importance of U.S. influence in shaping the situation’s outcome. He reflected on a previous trip to Washington where he faced criticism from Trump and the Vice President about the perception of U.S. support for Ukraine.
