Ukraine diplomacy broadens in Washington

European Commission head von der Leyen, Germany’s Merz and France’s Macron join Zelenskyy for a White House meeting with President Trump.

Zelenskyy enlists European leaders for Monday Trump talks

Zelenskyy invited a high-level European delegation to Washington for a White House meeting with President Trump. The group includes the European Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen, Germany’s Merz, and France’s Macron, signaling a united bloc ahead of potential talks that could include Russia. The meeting follows Trump’s Alaska visit with Vladimir Putin, which Trump framed as making progress on several points but stopped short of outlining a peace plan. Diplomats told POLITICO that the aim is to safeguard Kyiv’s red lines while exploring a pathway toward a negotiated settlement.

Observers say the gathering is as much about signaling resolve as it is about finding a practical path to peace. European officials are expected to press for clarity on terms that would allow Kyiv to maintain its borders and sovereignty, while avoiding any deal that could be perceived as pressuring Ukraine into concessions. After the Washington session, the process could move toward a three-way format that includes Putin, depending on Putin’s willingness to engage and the U.S. stance.

The move reads as much as a political show of unity as a real attempt to shape next steps. It foregrounds the idea that any endgame in Ukraine will require broad European involvement and explicit guarantees from Washington. Yet the risk remains that public expectations could outpace what is feasible, especially if Putin stays distant or stalls on concessions. The contrast between Germany’s push for a quick peace and other states’ insistence on firm red lines highlights the fault lines inside the Western alliance and the difficulty of reconciling speed with sufficient safeguards.

If the talks fail to yield tangible terms, the immediate consequence could be frustration in Kyiv and among Western publics, potentially fueling skepticism about Western diplomacy. But if a credible framework emerges, even a weak agreement can create space for monitoring and verification. The real test will be whether this summit translates into real guarantees on borders, security, and emergency aid, rather than simply expanding the number of negotiators at the table.

Highlights

Diplomacy remains a work in progress.