European Leaders to Join Zelenskyy in Washington Amid Trump Talks on Ukraine War

August 18, 2025 MTIMES 55 Views Article 5 Ukraine, EU backing Ukraine, European leaders support Zelenskyy, India, National News, NATO security guarantee, peace deal Ukraine, Trump Putin summit, Trump Ukraine talks, Ukraine war negotiations, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Washington visit, White House Ukraine meeting 3 min read

Top European and NATO leaders will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington on Monday in a strategic show of solidarity as he prepares for critical talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine and securing long-term security guarantees.

Leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Finland are expected to stand alongside Zelenskyy at the White House in what analysts describe as a move to prevent a repeat of the tense Oval Office meeting in February, when Trump reportedly berated the Ukrainian leader. Observers say Europe wants to ensure Ukraine is not pressured into a peace deal that favours Russia.

Retired French General Dominique Trinquand noted that European leaders see this as a “power struggle”, and believe a united front will create leverage with Trump. The initiative follows the Trump–Putin summit in Alaska, where both sides acknowledged the possibility of a NATO-style security guarantee for Ukraine as part of a broader peace agreement.

European leaders support Zelenskyy to Avoid One-Sided Peace Agreement

Analysts believe the unified presence of European leaders could prevent Ukraine from being railroaded into accepting conditions such as abandoning its NATO or EU ambitions — a key demand from Moscow.
According to Neil Melvin of RUSI, European leaders hope to shape the evolving agenda and ensure Ukraine’s interests remain central to any negotiation.

However, Melvin also warned that a large European delegation must be careful not to appear like they are ganging up on Trump, which could backfire diplomatically.

Security Guarantees, Ceasefire Talks and European leaders support Zelenskyy

While U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that a ceasefire is “not off the table”, Zelenskyy argued that any agreement must ensure lasting peace, not simply a pause in fighting.

Zelenskyy stressed that real security requires U.S. and European involvement, saying Europe can finance Ukraine’s army while the U.S. provides key military equipment currently in short supply.

“It’s impossible to negotiate under the pressure of weapons,” Zelenskyy said, dismissing calls for a premature ceasefire.

European leaders are now positioning themselves as essential partners in crafting a credible security guarantee that could mirror NATO’s Article 5 — treating an attack on Ukraine as an attack on all guarantor states.

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