Trump skips White House greeting as European leaders gather

Seven European leaders arrive in Washington for a high stakes White House meeting with Zelensky while the president stays inside the building.

Trump Skips Greeting as European Leaders Gather for Zelensky Talks

Seven European leaders arrived in Washington for a White House summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. They were greeted by Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley at the South Portico while President Trump did not step outside to greet them. The gathering follows Trump’s talks with Vladimir Putin in Alaska and comes as Zelensky visits the United States to press for action on peace talks.

Trump later greeted Zelensky outside the White House with a handshake and smile. Since meeting Putin, Trump has signaled a shift in tone that backs away from demanding a ceasefire and punitive action against Russia, signaling a potential reorientation in US policy toward Ukraine and NATO. European leaders arrived with a sense of urgency, underscoring the pressure on Washington to sustain a united front.

Optics matter in diplomacy and this scene shows how much weight the White House places on appearances. The absence of a public greeting by the president sends a signal about the current stance toward Europe and Ukraine. The role of Monica Crowley as protocol chief adds a symbolic layer, given her media background; this may feed perceptions of a performative approach rather than substantive diplomacy.

The shift toward Putin signals risk for NATO unity and for Ukraine's strategy. If US policy drifts away from strong allied pressure on Russia, European partners could question Washington's commitments. Zelensky's social post emphasizes a posture of seeking durable security, while the European leaders arriving suggests a push for a unified front that may be tested in the coming days.

Highlights

Washington weighs the next moves as alliances face tests of trust