Washington (AP) – Ukraine’s future could depend on a A hurry to meet Ukrainian President Voldy Mee Zelensky brings him an extraordinary leadership of European leaders and shows President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday Uniform war against Russia.
European political big hitters have been ruled out Trump Summit Last Friday, along with Russian President Vladimir Putin, they are trying to protect Ukraine and the continent. From the expansion of aggression From Moscow.
By arriving as a group, they hope to avoid obstacles such as: Zelensky’s meeting in the elliptical office in FebruaryTrump chastised him for not showing sufficient gratitude for American military aid. The conference is also a test of relations with the US with the European Union and the closest allies after the UK I accepted Trump’s tariff hike Because they wanted him to support him in Ukraine.
Monday’s show is a sign of both progress and potential The pain that comes out of the Alaska conference It’s an unusual and shrewd show of diplomatic forces as many of the European leaders descend from Washington with a clear goal of protecting Ukraine’s interests.
“It is important that the US agree to work with Europe to provide security assurances to Ukraine and therefore to all of Europe,” Zelenskyy said in X.
However, on the eve of the meeting, Trump appears to have held Zelensky responsible for the concessions, suggesting that Ukraine cannot regain Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, sparking an armed conflict that led to a wider infringement in 2022.
“Ukrainian President Zelensky can close the war with Russia almost immediately if he wishes. “Remember how it started. You will not return to Obama and give Crimea (12 years ago, without firing or firing!) and will not go to NATO in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy responded with his own post late Sunday, appearing to have said, “We all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably.” He went on to say that “peace must be permanent,” not after Russia seized Crimea and parts of Donbas in eastern Ukraine eight years ago.
Alaska sit down Created possible contours to stop War in Ukrainealthough it was unclear whether the discussed term would ultimately be accepted by Zelensky or Putin.
European heavyweights coming to Washington
Plans to join Zelensky in the US capital are European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer, German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finland President Alexander Stab and NATO President Mark Latte.
At the table for discussion Possible NATO-like security guarantees Ukraine will need peace with Russia to be durable. Putin opposes Ukraine’s full participation in NATO, but Trump’s team claims it is open to allies who agree to protect Ukraine if Russian leaders are attacked.
Trump explained to Zelensky and his European allies shortly after the Putin Conference, and details from the discussion emerged in the way of a spreader that appears to rank the chosen US president. Do not outline the conditions When he later appeared with Putin.
“Great Russian progress,” Trump posted on social media on Sunday. The president also lamented media coverage of his summit with Putin, saying about the true social: “I held a great meeting in Alaska.”
Following the Alaska Summit, Trump declared it No ceasefire was needed In order for the peace meeting to progress, it is suddenly Shifts to the position Putin likes.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that a ceasefire is still possible, but “the best way to end this conflict is through a complete peace deal.”
Table Issues in European Allies
European officials confirmed that Trump said Putin was still there We are looking for management of the entire Donbas regionAlthough Ukraine manages a meaningful share of it.
And Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkov, said he could offer a NATO-like commitment to protecting the country if the US and its allies were attacked by Ukraine. Possible security guarantees.
“How it’s built, how we build it, how it’s built, what it’s built in, that’s what it’s built in, that’s what we’re talking about with our partners coming from overseas over the next few days,” Rubio told NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Rubio said such a commitment would be “a very big move” by Trump on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.” He expects the delegation to “expend six or seven hours on these things, perhaps more than that, and try to get to a place where there’s something more specific.”
Monday’s meeting will probably be very tough for Zelenskyy, according to officials close to ongoing consultations. The formula spoke on the condition of anonymity, which openly speaks about ideas within Ukraine and between allies.
Zelenskyy needs to prevent a scenario in which he is accused of blocking peace talks by rejecting Putin’s maximalist demands on Donbas, officials said. That’s a demand that Zelensky has said many times that he won’t accept as it is unconstitutional and could create launch pads for future Russian attacks.
Faced with pressure to accept Putin’s demands, Zelensky will have to return to the skills he has demonstrated over and over: diplomatic tact. Ukrainian leadership is seeking trilateral meetings with Zelensky, Trump and Putin to discuss sensitive issues, including territorial issues.
Zelenskyy is trying to avoid another oval office explosion
After enduring Public tilade by Trump Vice President JD Vance, Zelenskyy, worked to repair relations with the US in February
Constant diplomatic communication and 15 minutes Vatican meeting In April, bystanders at Pope Francis’ funeral helped turn the tide. At the time, Trump seemed to be shaken by Zelensky’s conditions of peace.
But Trump says he’s mostly concerned about ending the war. This is the ambition that led him to abandon the need for a ceasefire after his meeting with Putin.
European allies have also worked with Trump and reached a deal in July NATO allies buying weapons from the US for Ukraine.
Prior to Monday’s meeting, French Macron emphasized the importance of building a Ukrainian army and the need to show Putin that Europe interprets his move as a threat to other countries.
“If we are weak in Russia today, we will prepare for the conflict of tomorrow, and they will affect the Ukrainians and not make mistakes — they may affect us too,” Macron said.
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Kullab was reported by Kyiv in Ukraine. Associated Press writer John Leicester contributed from France’s Le Peck.
