On Monday, a significant meeting is set to take place at the White House where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet Donald Trump with aid from various European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. This gathering represents a show of unity for Ukraine amid ongoing conflicts.
Sir Keir Starmer is attending the meeting not just to lend support to Zelensky but also to foster European solidarity after a rocky past encounter between Trump and Zelensky at the Oval Office.
Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Trump at 1 PM local time, followed by a private bilateral talk at 1:15 PM.
Later, Trump will convene with a coalition of European leaders in the State Dining Room, slated for 2:15 PM, culminating in a broader multilateral discussion planned for 3 PM, according to White House statements.
The meeting comes not long after President Trump’s discussions with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, during which Putin reportedly insisted on territorial concessions from Ukraine; specifically, he demanded that Ukraine give up control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as a prerequisite for peace.
Sources indicate that Trump might have shown support for Putin’s demands in private discussions, which Ukraine finds unacceptable. In an unsettling turn, Trump has suggested that any hopes of regaining Crimea for Ukraine might be unrealistic.
Before embarking on his Washington trip, Zelensky highlighted that Ukraine’s enduring conflict would exacerbate if Russia does not cease hostilities. He emphasized, “A halt to violence is essential for stopping the war.”
Downing Street confirmed that Sir Keir Starmer and the attending leaders are prepared to back the ongoing negotiations, reiterating that their support for Ukraine remains steadfast for however long it takes.
Who Will Accompany Zelensky to Washington?
Attending European leaders include:
- UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
- President of Finland Alexander Stubb
- President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen
- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
Zelensky arrived in DC with strong backing already, having taken part in a coalition call coordinated by the UK, France, and Germany aiming to establish security guarantees and even involve military personnel in any future peace agreements in Ukraine.
Topics for the Agenda: What Lies Ahead?
The discussions on Monday are expected to delve directly into territorial concerns, specifically addressing Russia’s insistence that Ukraine hand over control of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Additionally, the negotiations will likely touch on the need for security guarantees for Ukraine, potentially underpinned by US military support.
Leaders will also evaluate NATO’s involvement and the role of European allies to exert pressure on Russia, ensuring that Ukraine is included in every discussion moving forward.
Ursula von der Leyen firmly stated in Brussels, “Regarding any Territorial disputes involving Ukraine, we believe force cannot modify international borders. The choices must be made solely by Ukraine, and these decisions require their participation in talks.”
Moreover, European nations are eager to establish a trilateral dialogue involving Trump, Putin, and Zelensky to ensure Ukraine has a voice regarding its future.
Understanding Russia’s Demands
During the recent Alaska summit, Putin is said to have pressed for Ukraine to relinquish both Donetsk and Luhansk entirely, forfeit its NATO ambitions, and assume a neutral status. There were proposals put forth to contain the conflict in certain regions as per sources familiar with the discourse.
Currently, approximately 88% of Donbas remains under Russian control, and this encompasses nearly all of Luhansk and a significant portion of Donetsk, with Russia claiming around 19% of Ukraine, including Crimea.
Zelensky has outright rejected offering land concessions, insisting instead that any talks must originate from the current front lines and begin with a ceasefire.
According to Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, Russia has tentatively agreed to let the US and allies provide Ukraine with security assurances following the meeting between Trump and Putin.
“We managed to negotiate a significant concession – that the US could extend protections akin to those laid out in Article 5. This is a core reason behind Ukraine’s desire for NATO membership,“ remarked Witkoff.
He noted it was unprecedented for Russia to make such concessions and labeled them as pivotal to future engagements.
Article 5, a key element of NATO’s defense pledge, articulates that an attack on one member is an attack on all.
Sir Keir praised Trump’s commitment to securing protections for Ukraine after the supportive coalition meeting.
A Look Back: The Last Meet-Up Between Zelensky and Trump
The previous Oval Office encounter in February ended tumultuously, with a signing ceremony for a mineral deal collapsing when Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly rebuked Zelensky, stating he was “ungrateful” and “gambling with World War III.”
Zelensky countered by arguing there could be “no compromises with a murderer” in reference to Putin.
The encounter came to a hasty finish, with the press conference canceled, leaving Trump to declare that Zelensky could “come back when he’s ready for peace,” following a temporary halting of aid to Ukraine.
