European leaders will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a high-stakes meeting at the White House on Monday after President Trump’s historic summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on the social platform X on Sunday that she will join the meeting “at the request of President Zelenskyy.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s office also announced he will be traveling to Washington Monday for “political talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European heads of state and government,” according to a translated statement from his office.
The statement said the purpose of the trip is the “exchange of information” with Trump after his meeting with Putin and said Merz plans to discuss peace efforts and “underscore Germany’s interest in a swift peace agreement in Ukraine.”
“The talks will address, among other things, security guarantees, territorial issues, and continued support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. This includes maintaining the pressure of sanctions,” the translated statement said.
French President Emmanuel Macron will also attend the meeting, according to local reports of his office’s statement.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also plan to join the meeting, The New York Times reported.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s office confirmed that he will attend the meeting.
The meeting comes as European leaders have doubled down on their commitment to Ukraine over the weekend.
Trump spoke with Zelensky and European leaders on Air Force One while returning home from his first face-to-face meeting with Putin since his first term in office. He signaled a shift in his position on the war — calling for a direct peace agreement without a ceasefire.
“It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up,” Trump posted on Truth Social early Saturday morning.
“President Zelenskyy will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin,” he added.
Zelensky signaled his support for a trilateral meeting between the three world leaders in a post on X.
“President Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion,” the Ukrainian leader wrote. “It is important that America’s strength has an impact on the development of the situation.”
Monday’s meeting will mark the first time Zelensky visits Washington since the infamous Oval Office spat earlier this year in which Trump and Vice President Vance blasted the Ukrainian leader for not expressing gratitude for U.S. support.
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