Ukraine leaders head to White House with European backers

A high profile gathering in Washington aims to show unity with Ukraine and press for security guarantees from the United States.

Zelenskyy Enlists European Leaders to Face Trump at White House

WASHINGTON is shaping up for a rare display of Western unity. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is bringing a notable slate of European leaders to the White House to present a united front against Russia and press for clear security guarantees from the United States. The delegation includes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. The visit follows President Donald Trump’s Alaska meeting with Vladimir Putin and is meant to signal that Europe will back Ukraine as the conflict persists and risks widen.

The gathering signals a deliberate attempt to translate European concerns into a shared American commitment. It tests how far Washington is willing to go to reassure Kyiv and deter Moscow while navigating political turbulence at home and within its alliance. The talks will explore a NATO like security pledge for Ukraine, even as Russia opposes Ukraine joining the alliance. The dynamic also exposes tensions in a transatlantic alliance that has grown uneasy over defense budgets, timelines, and the pace of peace talks. The outcome could hinge on whether the United States can offer concrete guarantees that satisfy European partners without triggering new political backlash at home.

Highlights

The week ahead will reveal whether diplomacy translates into durable commitments.