Monday’s meeting at the White House could end up being even more important for Ukraine — and Europe’s security — than the recent US-Russia summit in Alaska.
That Putin-Trump meeting didn’t produce anything groundbreaking. No ceasefire. No changes to sanctions. No big announcements. On the surface, it seemed just like many had expected.
There were real concerns that the US and Russia might strike some kind of deal behind closed doors, leaving Ukraine and Europe out of the conversation. But Ukraine and its allies are working hard to make sure that doesn’t happen.
With leaders like Sir Keir Starmer, President Macron, Chancellor Merz, and others standing beside President Zelensky in Washington, this isn’t just a show of support. It’s about making sure Zelensky isn’t left alone in the room like he was on February 28. Their goal is clear: to make Trump understand two key points — Ukraine must be part of any peace deal, and strong, reliable security guarantees have to be part of it.
European leaders are also trying to show Trump that Ukraine and Europe are standing together. They want to make sure Trump’s personal connection with Putin doesn’t influence him into making concessions that favor Russia.
This will be a big test for Sir Keir Starmer’s diplomacy. Trump respects him and is set to visit the UK in a month. Trump also has a good relationship with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who’s earned the nickname “the Trump Whisperer.” On the other hand, relations with President Macron have been tense, especially after Macron’s recent move to recognize a Palestinian state, which the White House criticized.
For any peace agreement to work, compromises will likely be needed. European leaders have long said that borders shouldn’t be changed through violence, and Zelensky has always made it clear that he won’t give up Ukrainian land — something also protected by Ukraine’s constitution.
But Putin wants to keep the Donbas region, where Russian forces already control about 85%, and he has no plans to return Crimea.
Still, as Kaja Kallas — the former Estonian PM and now the EU’s chief diplomat — once told me: Ukraine doesn’t have to win by taking back every inch of land. If the country can get strong security guarantees, similar to NATO’s Article 5, that could stop future Russian attacks and keep Ukraine free and independent. That, too, would count as a victory.
It seems that the US and Russia may be discussing a possible deal: Ukraine gives up some territory, in exchange for a promise that Russia won’t take more. But this idea raises major concerns.
Could Ukraine accept peace if it means losing part of its land — land that so many have died fighting for? And if Russia ends up controlling all of Donetsk Oblast, does that open the door to more attacks toward Kyiv?
Then there’s the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” that Starmer has promoted. Early discussions about sending tens of thousands of troops have been scaled back. Now the focus is more on protecting Ukraine’s airspace and waters, and helping it rebuild its military.
Even if the war ends soon, the risks won’t go away. Military experts warn that Putin could use a pause in fighting to rebuild his army and prepare for another offensive in a few years. If that happens, and Russian tanks start rolling again, it will take real courage for any pilot — flying a Typhoon or F-35 — to fire the first shot in a new round of conflict.
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