On Sunday, President Donald Trump hinted at what he described as a significant day ahead, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares for a crucial meeting at the White House with several European leaders. Trump expressed optimism that this summit could potentially end Russia's invasion of Ukraine almost immediately. This high-stakes meeting in Washington, D.C., comes on the heels of Trump's recent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
Since his meeting with Putin, Trump has seemingly softened his previous demands for an immediate ceasefire from Russia. Instead, he is now pressuring Ukraine to consider territorial concessions in exchange for peace. Trump has made it clear that he believes Ukraine will not regain Crimea, a region occupied by Russia since 2014. Furthermore, he reiterated that Ukraine will not be permitted to join NATO, although there have been hints from White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Zelenskyy regarding alternative security guarantees involving the U.S.
In a post on social media, Trump stated, “President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight.” This remark reflects Trump's previous mischaracterization of Ukraine as the initiator of the conflict, which actually began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. This invasion followed Russia's earlier aggression, which included the seizure of Crimea and parts of the eastern Donbas region.
Trump has scheduled a warm welcome for Zelenskyy, anticipating their meeting outside the West Wing at 1 p.m. ET. Following their bilateral discussions, Trump is expected to take photos with various European leaders around 2:30 p.m. ET, with a multilateral meeting set for 3 p.m. Notably, Vice President JD Vance will also be present during the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting, adding a significant dimension to the discussions. Vance was previously involved in a tense Oval Office meeting in February, where he criticized Zelenskyy over perceived ingratitude for U.S. support.
Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet with Trump and other European leaders, stating, “We all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably.” He emphasized the need for lasting peace, referencing Russia's aggression beginning in 2014 and the failure of the international community to enforce the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which promised security assurances to Ukraine in exchange for giving up its nuclear arsenal.
A host of European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, will accompany Zelenskyy at the White House meeting. These leaders have consistently supported Ukraine throughout the Trump administration's pressure on Kyiv.
French President Macron recently articulated the urgency of the situation, stating, “If we are weak today with Russia, we prepare the wars of tomorrow.” He emphasized that Moscow has historically failed to honor promises of non-aggression, underscoring the need for robust security guarantees for Ukraine. Macron proposed a dual approach to enhance Ukraine’s military capabilities while deploying a Western reassurance force to deter further Russian attacks.
The potential for territorial concessions is a contentious topic within Ukraine. As per the country's constitution, any alterations to national borders must be approved by a nationwide referendum. Ukraine's aspirations to join both NATO and the European Union are also constitutionally enshrined, meaning any exclusion from these blocs may necessitate constitutional amendments.
Ukrainian parliament member Oleksandr Mrezhko firmly stated, “Territorial concessions are impossible.” He called for a ceasefire and security guarantees to prevent further violations from Russia. Mrezhko expressed skepticism about Putin's proposal for a “peace treaty” instead of a ceasefire, labeling it as “dangerous and unacceptable.” He acknowledged the positive aspect of U.S. involvement in security guarantees while advocating for NATO membership as the most reliable security assurance against Russian aggression.
As preparations for the White House meeting unfold, both Russia and Ukraine have continued their military operations. Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 140 drones and four missiles, with 88 drones reportedly intercepted. The strikes affected multiple regions, including Donetsk, Kharkiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Kyiv, resulting in casualties, including a child in Kharkiv. Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed to have downed at least 24 Ukrainian drones overnight.
This ongoing conflict underscores the urgency of the upcoming discussions at the White House, as leaders seek to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape and work towards a resolution that ensures the security and sovereignty of Ukraine.
