Trump, Zelensky, and European Leaders Meet in Washington as Pressure Mounts for Ceasefire Deal

 U.S. President Donald Trump concluded a high-stakes meeting on Tuesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a delegation of top European leaders, as efforts intensify to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia.

Trump described the summit as “very good,” and confirmed that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly afterward. The White House announced that a trilateral meeting between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia is now being planned, pending agreement from the parties.

“He expects a call from me,” Trump said of Putin. “If everything works out today, then we will arrange a meeting with President Zelensky.”

Zelensky Faces Pressure, but Refuses to Cede Territory

Zelensky arrived in Washington accompanied by a rare emergency delegation of European leaders. Their goal: to bolster his negotiating position amid growing concerns that Trump may pressure Ukraine to accept territorial concessions in exchange for vague U.S. security guarantees.

The Ukrainian president reiterated his country’s position that it will not cede territory to Russia, noting that Ukraine’s constitution requires a national referendum for such a decision—one that would almost certainly fail due to strong public opposition.

When asked by a Fox News reporter if he was prepared to “redraw the maps,” Zelensky replied diplomatically but reaffirmed that Ukraine is seeking a diplomatic path to peace that preserves its sovereignty.

“We all want to end this war and stop Russia,” he said.

European Leaders Rally Behind Ukraine

Following their one-on-one meeting, Trump and Zelensky were joined by several key European leaders for lunch and a closed-door session. Attendees included:

• French President Emmanuel Macron

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer

• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

• Finnish President Alexander Stubb

• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

As the leaders gathered at the White House, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, and Russia launched fresh missile strikes on Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, killing at least 10 people, including a child, according to Ukrainian officials.

Zelensky called the attacks a deliberate move by Moscow to exert pressure during the negotiations.

Trump Suggests Putin Is Ready to End the War

President Trump claimed that Putin “wants the war to end” and said the possibility of a peace deal was within reach. He noted that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff had reported a positive shift in Russia’s stance, including a willingness to consider NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine—modeled after Article 5 of the NATO treaty.

Zelensky welcomed the idea, calling it a “significant shift” in the U.S. position, though the specifics remain unclear.

Diplomatic Panic and Historic Urgency

A senior European diplomat told The New York Times that the emergency summit was called with a level of urgency not seen since the lead-up to the Iraq War in 2003. The diplomat described a growing sense of panic among Ukraine’s European allies, who fear the U.S. may pressure Ukraine into an unfavorable deal.

German Chancellor Merz emphasized the need for a ceasefire before any trilateral talks, while Macron stated bluntly: “Everyone around this table wants peace.”

Trump, however, made it clear that while the U.S. supports a ceasefire, “it’s up to Zelensky and Putin” to make the final decision.

Looking Ahead: Trilateral Talks in the Balance

With Zelensky standing firm and Trump optimistic about brokering a deal, the path forward remains uncertain. The question now is whether a trilateral summit involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia can produce a framework for ending the war—or whether the pressure on Ukraine will further complicate its already fragile position.