LONDON — In the wake of President Donald Trump’s recent summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Ukraine and its allies are grappling with a significant shift in the U.S. approach toward the ongoing war in Ukraine.
European leaders are set to join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington on Monday to discuss their strategies moving forward, especially in light of Trump’s apparent alignment with the Kremlin.
During the Alaska summit, President Trump indicated a departure from his previous call for a ceasefire, suggesting instead that he is interested in pursuing a permanent peace deal that seems to echo Putin’s longstanding demands.
Among the concerns raised is Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine may be expected to cede its eastern Donbas region to Russia.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump commented, “If I got Russia to give up Moscow as part of the Deal, the Fake News, and their PARTNER, the Radical Left Democrats, would say I made a terrible mistake and a very bad deal.”
This statement has amplified anxieties in Kyiv and across Europe, as they strive to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty amidst evolving White House dynamics.
As a show of solidarity, a group of prominent European leaders— including NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von de Leyen, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni—have announced plans to travel to Washington.
Their objective is to support Zelenskyy and engage with Trump to collectively sort through the implications of the U.S. change of heart regarding Russian relations.
Merz’s office stated that this visit would focus on security guarantees, territorial integrity, and ongoing support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the European Union’s backing while in Brussels, where he withheld calls for a ceasefire to negotiate a final agreement with Russia.
“The trip will serve as an exchange of information,” noted Merz’s office in its announcement. “The discussions will address crucial topics including security guarantees and territorial issues.”
Speaking on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed that a temporary ceasefire is still “not off the table,” despite Trump’s worrisome comments from the previous day.
Rubio emphasized that any potential agreement must include security guarantees for Ukraine.
Furthermore, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff revealed that Putin recognized the necessity of offering security assurances similar to NATO’s Article 5 as part of the eventual peace agreement.
“We were able to win the following concession: that the United States could offer Article 5-like protection, which is one of the primary reasons why Ukraine wants to be in NATO,” Witkoff explained on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
These developments suggest a cautious negotiation landscape where both sides aim for stability and guarantee future security for Ukraine.
Trump’s administration appears to have made some strides toward addressing European and Ukrainian concerns in recent days. Early Saturday, Trump directly communicated with both Zelenskyy and European leaders regarding potential NATO-style security guarantees.
However, the administration reportedly did not discuss the notion of U.S. troop deployments on the ground as part of a peace initiative.
The proposed guarantees would come into play in the unfortunate event of a renewed Russian invasion following any peace agreement reached.
As discussions progress, European leaders underscored their openness to enabling Ukraine’s aspiration of joining NATO, a sentiment echoed by a joint statement issued on Saturday.
Despite these discussions, there remains a lingering sense of unease within Ukraine following the Alaska summit.
Civilians in Ukraine continue to bear the burden of ongoing Russian assaults during this high-stakes diplomatic maneuvering.
In light of Trump’s recent interactions, one Kyiv resident, Natalya Lypei, conveyed her frustrations, stating, “I was hoping that the U.S. wouldn’t roll out the red carpet to the enemy. How can you welcome a tyrant like this?”
As leaders from both sides prepare for Monday’s meeting, the stakes remain incredibly high for Ukraine and its future on the world stage.
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