European leaders gathered at the White House to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war and showed unity on Ukraine’s security. They stressed that Ukraine’s safety matters to all of Europe, not only Ukraine. After the talks, they expressed cautious optimism that President Donald Trump might gain momentum in fulfilling his pledge to end Russia’s invasion. Leaders from France, Germany, Finland, Italy, the UK, the European Commission, and NATO met with Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said leaders made “real progress” and demonstrated “real unity.” Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission said they all worked toward “a lasting and durable peace.”
Praise for Trump, Caution on Ceasefire
The leaders praised Trump for supporting security guarantees for Ukraine but left open the idea of a temporary ceasefire. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said “the path is open now” for halting the fighting, though next steps remain complex. He admitted he doubted this outcome but said his expectations were exceeded. Merz urged pressure on Russia and voiced hope for a ceasefire. Trump avoided commitment, saying, “If we can do the ceasefire, great,” but called it nonessential. After meeting Putin last Friday, Trump shifted his position by dropping demands for an immediate ceasefire and instead focusing on a broader peace settlement, a stance aligned with Putin’s preference.
Plans for Future Talks and Security Guarantees
French President Emmanuel Macron said the “most important” outcome was America’s commitment to work with Europe on security guarantees for Ukraine. He said leaders aim to arrange a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy soon, followed by a trilateral meeting including Trump within weeks. Macron expressed doubt about Putin’s desire to stop the war. Merz stressed the need for careful preparation and insisted that all of Europe must join discussions on security guarantees. He said this conflict affects Europe’s political order, not just Ukraine’s territory. When asked about German peacekeeping troops, Merz said it was too early to decide. NATO chief Mark Rutte ruled out membership for Ukraine but confirmed talks about Article 5-style guarantees. He explained that an attack on one NATO nation counts as an attack on all. US involvement details will emerge in the coming days, giving Zelenskyy the clarity needed to judge Ukraine’s safety under any deal.
