By Raveena Kumari 
Washington, August 18, 2025:
A day after his high-profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump is set to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Monday.
In a significant move, top European leaders will join Zelenskyy for the talks, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Sunday. The decision underscores Europe’s united support for Ukraine amid concerns over Trump’s push to broker a peace deal with Russia.
Backdrop: Trump-Putin Meeting
The Trump-Putin meeting, marked by ceremonial pageantry in Alaska, ended without a formal agreement or joint press conference. While both sides showcased diplomatic pomp, substantive breakthroughs on the war in Ukraine were absent.
Why Europe’s Presence Matters
Zelenskyy’s upcoming meeting with Trump is seen as critical, especially given the tense encounter the Ukrainian leader faced during his February meeting with the U.S. President. European leaders hope their presence will:
Reinforce solidarity with Ukraine.
Ensure Kyiv is not pressured into concessions.
Provide balance in Trump’s efforts to fast-track a peace deal with Moscow.
Analysts say Europe’s joint stance could help prevent Ukraine from being “railroaded” into an agreement unfavorable to its sovereignty and territorial interests.
What to Watch For
Whether Trump renews his call for a U.S.-brokered peace framework with Russia.
Europe’s push to ensure Ukraine’s security and sovereignty remain at the center of talks.
Kyiv’s ability to balance U.S. and European pressure amid ongoing conflict.
The Washington meeting is expected to be closely watched across global capitals as a defining moment in the evolving U.S.-Russia-Ukraine-Europe dynamic.
Khabar Rojana