Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Returns to the White House for Crucial Peace Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to return to the White House on Monday for the first time since a tense Oval Office meeting in February. This visit comes after an unproductive summit in Alaska between US President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with commentators arguing that Monday’s talks in Washington could be decisive in reaching a potential peace deal to end the war in Ukraine.
A high-profile delegation of European leaders will accompany President Zelensky, including French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The European leaders are scheduled to arrive at the White House at midday local time, followed by a bilateral meeting between Trump and Zelensky at 13:15 EST.
The presence of European leaders is seen as a strategic move to counterbalance Putin’s influence on Trump. Following their last meeting in February, Trump accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” and “gambling with World War III,” resulting in Zelensky leaving the White House without a deal. European leaders hope that their united front will not only discourage aggressive behavior but also ensure that no deal is made behind closed doors without Kiev or Brussels’ involvement.
Key issues to be discussed during Monday’s meeting include territory concessions and security guarantees. Russia has demanded significant territory concessions from Ukraine, including the eastern Donetsk region, which Ukrainian forces still control 30% of. However, President Zelensky has reiterated that Ukraine’s constitution does not allow him to formally recognize Russian occupations, including the Crimea peninsula, which was illegally annexed in 2014. Trump has also ruled out Ukraine joining NATO, despite Ukraine’s clear desire to join the transatlantic defense alliance.
Reports suggest that European leaders privately accept the premise of “land for peace,” which will be a discussion point in Monday’s meeting. However, they stress that decisions over territory are a matter for Ukraine alone. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special security envoy, revealed that Russia has agreed to allow the US and other countries to give Ukraine “robust” security guarantees with language akin to NATO’s Article 5. While the exact details of these guarantees remain unclear, the British Government has suggested it would be ready to deploy a “reassurance force” once the war is over to help secure Ukraine’s skies and seas.
As the stakes remain high, the international community waits with bated breath for the outcome of Monday’s talks. Will the presence of European leaders be enough to tip the scales in favor of a peace deal, or will the complex web of interests and alliances continue to hinder progress? Only time will tell.
