European leaders will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington on Monday for an unprecedented meeting, underscoring the central role the Trump administration now holds in efforts to end Moscow’s invasion.
Trump had once pressed for a ceasefire, but after his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he abandoned the idea, arguing ceasefires “often do not hold up.” Instead, he called for a direct peace deal, aligning more closely with Putin’s position.
Putin has proposed Ukraine give up Donbas—Donetsk and Lugansk—in exchange for halting Russia’s offensive in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Zelenskyy rejected the offer, warning Russia’s refusal to stop its strikes shows it cannot be trusted to commit to long-term peace.
European leaders have expressed alarm. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Russia aims only to stall negotiations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO’s Mark Rutte, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will accompany Zelenskyy, pushing for a swift peace agreement.