Trump hosts Zelenskyy and European leaders at White House

European leaders join Zelenskyy in Washington to shape security guarantees and potential terms of peace.

Trump hosts Zelenskyy and European leaders at White House

President Trump will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Monday, joined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, a display of unity as Kyiv seeks to shape any end to the war with Russia. The leaders arrive amid questions about how future guarantees and concessions would be structured and whether any deal would hold without Kyiv ceding ground.

Zelenskyy opposes a land swap and seeks clear security guarantees to deter another invasion. The article notes that Trump has moved from calling for a ceasefire to advocating a full peace agreement and has floated ideas that Kyiv says would undermine its position. European officials are arriving to influence the terms and to ensure that any settlement preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty, while the White House argues that recent discussions with Moscow justify a new round of diplomacy. The delegation’s purpose, the piece suggests, is to help shape the terms rather than shield Zelenskyy from pressure.

The visit tests whether European partners can coordinate a unified stance while Washington pursues a middle ground between Kyiv’s red lines and Moscow’s demands. The idea of a land swap lies at the center of the tension, with Kyiv insisting that any exchange cannot compromise its sovereignty. The narrative around Article 5-like protections shows the emphasis on long-term security guarantees, a tool that could redefine Ukraine’s strategic cover in Europe. Yet domestic politics at home and in Kyiv could complicate any negotiated path, especially if concessions are seen as tilting toward Russia without clear, verifiable guarantees.

A key tension is how much sway Europe should have in a policy that has been framed as American in its leadership. The White House says progress with Moscow since the Alaska encounter warrants a broader diplomatic phase, while critics may view the push for a major settlement as a risk to Ukrainian gains. The talks will test whether diplomacy can deliver durable terms or simply set the stage for renewed pressure later on.

Highlights

Diplomacy moves forward, but the clock on the ground remains relentless.