Pius Nsabe
Washington is once again the stage for high-stakes diplomacy as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine arrives to meet U.S. President Donald Trump and a coalition of European leaders. The talks, scheduled for Monday, come just days after Trump’s cordial meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska — a summit that set out Moscow’s hardline conditions for peace.
At the heart of the latest standoff are Putin’s demands: Ukraine must permanently abandon its bid to join NATO and formally relinquish any claims to Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014. Trump has echoed those conditions, publicly declaring on his Truth Social account that Zelenskiy could “end the war with Russia almost immediately” if he agreed to those concessions.
The message has alarmed Kyiv and its European partners. Leaders from Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the EU, and NATO are flying into Washington to join Zelenskiy at the White House, underscoring Europe’s determination to be part of the conversation after being excluded from Trump’s Alaska meeting with Putin. Observers say their presence is not only symbolic but a strategic counterweight to prevent Trump from forcing through a deal skewed in Moscow’s favour.
Despite Trump’s insistence on “compromise from both sides,” much of the pressure appears directed at Zelenskiy. Ukraine has already rejected the outline of Putin’s Alaska proposals, which demanded Kyiv surrender its remaining foothold in the eastern Donetsk region — territory that Ukrainian forces consider vital to their national defence.
European officials have described the Washington gathering as a “moment of truth.” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul remarked that “the whole world is looking to Washington,” while British newspapers branded the meeting “D-Day at the White House.”
For Zelenskiy, the stakes could not be higher. He has called for an immediate ceasefire to open broader peace negotiations, a position Trump once supported but seemed to abandon after meeting Putin. Speaking on arrival in Washington, Zelenskiy struck a conciliatory tone but made clear that Ukraine would not be bullied into surrendering. “Russia must end this war — the war it started,” he said. “I hope our shared strength with America and our European friends will compel Russia to real peace.”
Meanwhile, the conflict on the ground rages on. Russian missile and drone strikes hit Kharkiv overnight, killing seven people, including two children, and destroying residential buildings. With Moscow steadily advancing in eastern Ukraine, Putin has warned that his military campaign will continue until his objectives are met.
Behind the diplomatic theatre lies a sobering reality: Ukraine’s survival still hinges on U.S. military and intelligence support, leaving Zelenskiy with little choice but to engage Trump despite their strained relationship since his return to the White House in January.
As leaders gather in Washington, one question looms over the negotiations: will the push for peace mean Ukraine is forced to trade its sovereignty for an end to Europe’s bloodiest conflict in generations?