7 Leaders to Join Zelensky at White House Meeting Monday

European Leaders to Meet with Zelensky and Trump in Effort to End War

On Monday, seven European leaders will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump, aiming to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict with Russia. The meeting was announced by Zelensky and Trump on Saturday, and it has since been confirmed that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will also be present.

Macron, after participating in a video conference with several European leaders, emphasized the importance of presenting a united front between Ukraine and its allies. He warned that showing weakness could lead to future conflicts. This sentiment is echoed by other European leaders who are working closely with Zelensky to find a path toward peace.

Zelensky’s last meeting with Trump took place in the White House on February 23. During that encounter, Trump accused Zelensky of "gambling with World War III" and being disrespectful to the United States. Plans for a ceasefire and a joint press conference were ultimately canceled. However, the two leaders met more amicably later that year at the funeral for Pope Francis in April.

In addition to the upcoming meeting in Washington, Zelensky and von der Leyen participated in a video conference with members of a "coalition of willing," which includes Ukraine's main European allies. Finland's President Stubb highlighted the strong consensus among coalition countries regarding continued support for Ukraine, emphasizing that Europe and the United States are strengthening their shared position.

The EU's Costa noted that transatlantic unity is essential for achieving lasting peace in Ukraine. He welcomed the U.S. willingness to seek security guarantees for Ukraine. A joint statement signed by European Council President Antonio Costa and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reiterated the need for further talks, including with Zelensky.

European leaders from the Nordic-Baltic Eight—Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden—emphasized that no decisions should be made about Ukraine without involving the country itself and that Europe must have a say in any decisions affecting it.

Trump expressed optimism about progress on the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Sunday, posting on Truth Social: "BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA. STAY TUNED." He also criticized the media, claiming they would falsely portray any deal as a mistake. Earlier, he spoke about the war in Ukraine and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where they agreed that a peace agreement, rather than a mere ceasefire, is the best way to end the conflict.

Zelensky was not invited to the summit with Trump and Putin. However, CNN reported that Trump suggested a potential three-way summit with Putin and Zelensky if talks go well on Monday. Meanwhile, Putin engaged with his allies, holding a phone call with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Details about the discussions between Trump and Putin remain limited. They spoke to reporters for a total of 12 minutes and did not take questions. The topics of land swaps and territorial concessions were mentioned, but specifics were not disclosed.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff provided insights into the meeting. Rubio acknowledged some progress but noted significant areas of disagreement. He downplayed the effectiveness of new sanctions on Russia, suggesting they may not force a ceasefire. Witkoff, however, saw some moderation in Russian thinking and noted that Putin discussed land swaps at the current front lines.

Zelensky emphasized the importance of real negotiations and stated that the contact line is the best starting point. He stressed that Ukraine cannot give up territory and that the issue should be discussed only between Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. He also called for clarity on security guarantees from Trump, while urging a ceasefire before any peace deal.

Von der Leyen emphasized the need for strong security guarantees to protect Ukraine and Europe. She highlighted the importance of Ukraine maintaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Pope Leon XIV encouraged prayers for peace and urged negotiations to prioritize the common good. Meanwhile, reports from Ukraine indicate ongoing aerial attacks, with casualties and injuries reported in several regions. Public hope for the upcoming meeting remains low, with many skeptical about the prospects for a peaceful resolution.

As the situation continues to unfold, the international community watches closely, hoping for meaningful dialogue and a path toward lasting peace.