According to two European diplomats and a person acquainted with the matter with whom Politico journalists talked, Zelanski will not fly to Washington alone. Feverish talks are underway on who should be.
Today, among others A key video conference will take place in this matter. According to the Elysean Palace, the meeting will be chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the Prime Minister of Great Britain Keir Starmer. The head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and – as announced by the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski – a representative of Poland will also take part in it.
– The meeting in Alaska is not perceived as a total failure, but Europeans are definitely concerned about the direction in which matters are heading – emphasizes Camille Grand, a high -ranking NATO official, who remains in contact with high -ranking European officials involved in negotiations.
This is why The latest idea assumes the strong commitment of Finland And the journey primarily of one of Donald Trump's favorite interlocutors.
Trump's meeting with Putin on Friday in Alaska did not bring any breakthrough solutions and left an uncertain future. The Republican said that he would meet with Zelanski in Washington on Monday, and then try to bring Kiev and Moscow closer to the peace agreement.
Europe and Ukraine perceive Monday's peak as a crucial for the future of the continent. They hope that Trump will assure them that he will not agree to Putin's demands, which are unacceptable to them. It is, for example, about the transfer of Russia to the territory of Ukraine, over which Moscow took over only partial control.
Continuation of the material under the video
European allies of Ukraine also want Avoid another ambush on Zelanskiwhich could shake relations at this delicate moment. A catastrophic meeting in the White House between Trump and Zelanski in February this year. withdrawn these relations for several months.
That is why the main role next to Zelanski during the Monday visit to Washington is to be played by Finland President Alexander Stubb. The idea is that Stubb can help prevent the escalation of tension between the United States leader and the President of Ukraine and convince the White House to include Europe in further talks.
According to a person familiar with this matter, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte can also go to Washingtonwhich maintains close relations with Trump.
Trump said that on Monday he would meet with Zelanski first, and then he would try to lead to a three -sided meeting with Putin and a Ukrainian leader. Putin so far rejected the meeting with Zelanski and Friday did not give any signals that he changed his position.
Conlated Europe
“It is obvious that the result of the summit in Alaska raised concerns in Europe, because Trump seems to share most of Putin's arguments,” says Camille Grand, a high -ranking NATO official, who remains in touch with the high -ranking European officials involved in negotiations.
Trump gave up the threat of immediate sanctions against Russia in the absence of a breakthrough during the meeting and left from the pursuit of immediate suspension of weapons in favor of a comprehensive agreement, adopting a language similar to Putin in terms of ending fights.
PAP/EPA/Terje Pedersen/PAP
Finland President Alexander Stubb participates in the peak of the leaders of joint expeditions (JEF) devoted to security in Oslo, Norway, May 9, 2025. Jef is the cooperation of several countries of North Europe in the field of security policy
– The meeting is not perceived as a total failure, but Europeans are definitely concerned about the direction in which matters are heading – adds Grand, currently an employee of the European Council of Foreign Relations. – Hence the efforts to avoid another drama during the upcoming Zełent visit.
Although publicly Europe and Ukraine seemed optimistic, privately officials were careful about the return of Putin to the game. Pictures of a red carpet for a Russian dictator have circulated the whole world. Moscow thus secured the appearance of global legitimacy, without undertaking peace gestures demanded by the United States, Europe and Ukraine.
– The fears accompanied us throughout the year, and the Friday meeting did not help – says anonymously a European official in an interview with Politico.
Trump changes his mind every now and then
Trump's position on war in recent weeks has changed like a kaleidoscope. Although for many months he blamed Ukraine for the conflict, in the period preceding the summit he was more critical of Putin and Russia. He even stated that Putin would suffer “serious consequences” if after a Friday meeting he did not agree to the end of the war.
However, after a few hours of talks with Putin in Alaska Trump withdrew from the demand for immediate suspension of weaponsagain stating that Ukraine should end the fight, and advising Kiev to “accept the agreement”, without specifying what Putin proposed.
After the summit, Trump said that he negotiated with Putin regarding the exchange of territories, but refused to provide further details.
The White House did not answer immediately at the request for comment.
On Sunday, France President Emmanuel Macron and the Prime Minister of Great Britain Keir Starmer will lead the teleconference of “Coalitions of Volunteers” – countries that declared that after the war they would provide Ukraine with military and other support, he convinces anonymously in an interview with Politico one of the European officials familiar with details.
Before the summit, Trump said that He supports a certain role in ensuring a security guarantee – a kind of assurance or support from Washington, which will stop Russia from a re -attack after a peace agreement. The leaders of the Nordic and Baltic countries again accepted these obligations after Trump's conversations with European officials on Friday evening.
“They want to put the greatest impact on the negotiating process, because they know that Trump really wants to do it in this way, and they do not want to leave the initiative to Putin,” says Giuseppe Spatifor, a former NATO official, currently an analyst at the Institute of EU safety studies. – In general, Europeans talk to Trump much more often than in the first 100 days, which is a positive phenomenon. They have an impact, but it is limited – he adds.
Zełenski's last visit to the oval office in February quickly ended in a fiasco, when the vice president of JD Vance, and then Trump gave him a lecture for lack of gratitude for the support of America and exaggeration, in their opinion, a poor diplomatic position. Zelanski's decision to put on a black polo shirt, black pants and shoes instead of a suit further deteriorated the atmosphere.
However, during recent meetings, Trump and Zelanski's relations were much better because Kiev's allies tried to improve relationships, and Trump's frustration against Putin was growing.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
