The aftershocks of the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska are being felt in Washington, D.C., as a high-powered delegation of European leaders prepares to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will lead the group, which is responding to Trump’s claim of having made “BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA” just days after the three-hour meeting with Vladimir Putin. The impromptu summit is a clear attempt to influence the direction of peace talks.
While the Alaska meeting did not produce a formal peace agreement, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff described the outcome as “game-changing,” citing an agreement on “robust security guarantees” for Ukraine. Additionally, reports suggest a land-swap proposal was discussed, which would see Ukraine cede a fortified eastern region in exchange for Russia giving up smaller occupied areas. Such a proposal has been met with skepticism and concern.
The European leaders joining Zelenskyy are a who’s who of continental power, including French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The presence of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlights the official EU stance on the matter, signaling a united front.
Their joint visit is a strategic maneuver to ensure that the peace process is not rushed and that Ukraine’s interests are protected. The delegation’s purpose is to reinforce to President Trump that any resolution must be based on a just and lasting peace, not a quick deal that could be seen as a capitulation to Russian demands.