European Leaders Join Zelensky in Washington as Trump Pushes Ukraine Peace Deal

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

London/Kyiv – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will arrive in Washington on Monday, joined by key European leaders, for crucial talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting comes as Trump intensifies pressure on Kyiv to accept a swift peace deal aimed at ending the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, now the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to stand alongside Zelensky during his visit. The joint trip signals Europe’s determination to bolster Ukraine’s negotiating position as Trump presses for a quick resolution.

Trump, fresh from talks with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, has signaled greater alignment with Moscow, favoring a comprehensive peace deal over an initial ceasefire. In a social media post on Sunday, he promised “BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA,” without providing details.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the urgency:

“If peace is not possible and this war continues, thousands more will die. We must avoid that outcome.”

According to diplomatic sources, potential compromises being discussed include:

• Russia relinquishing smaller occupied territories,
• Ukraine ceding parts of the Donbas region already under Russian control,
• A freeze of front lines elsewhere to halt further escalation.

Russian envoy Mikhail Ulyanov said Moscow agreed that Kyiv deserves security guarantees but insisted Russia must also receive “efficient security assurances.”

Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff revealed that Washington may consider granting Ukraine an “Article 5-style protection”—a security pledge similar to NATO’s mutual defense clause, though without granting full NATO membership. Witkoff described this as the first time Russia had shown willingness to discuss such an arrangement.

While Trump presses for a final settlement, European leaders continue to argue for a ceasefire before peace negotiations. Their presence in Washington underscores Europe’s commitment to supporting Ukraine while seeking a framework that balances diplomacy, security, and sovereignty.

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