European stocks mixed ahead of Trump Zelensky talks

European shares opened mixed as leaders travel to Washington to discuss Ukraine with U.S. President Donald Trump.

European stocks mixed ahead of Trump Zelensky talks

European stocks opened mixed and edged little changed after the opening bell, with the pan European Stoxx 600 showing little directional movement across sectors. Major bourses in London, Frankfurt and Paris posted varied early moves as traders awaited a high level meeting in Washington involving regional leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss a possible peace deal in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy joined German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the trip to the White House to push for a diplomatic path. Trump publicly floated the idea that the conflict could end quickly if Zelenskyy agrees, wording seen as a pressure tactic amid ongoing fighting on the ground. Last week’s Trump Putin summit ended without a ceasefire, and reports have circulated that Putin would back a truce only if concessions were made in the Donbas. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff signaled that security guarantees could be part of a broader settlement.

Extended trading mood in Asia was firmer overnight as markets braced for the talks, while U.S. futures pointed to modest gains in early trading on hopes for lower rates later in the year. There are no major earnings due on Monday and traders will also watch Spanish and EU trade balances for fresh signal on demand and momentum in the euro area.

The week puts diplomacy at the heart of market thinking. If the Washington talks yield credible steps toward peace, markets could reprieve from uncertainty and reflect a cautious optimism. If not, the relief rally could fade quickly as investors reassess political risk and the durability of any commitments. The dynamic underscores how geopolitics now often drives asset prices more than company results, and how credibility in policy promises matters as much as the promises themselves. European policymakers may find it harder to chart budgets and growth plans when the outcome of the Ukraine talks remains unclear.

Highlights

Diplomacy will test patience as markets watch the clock