Preparations are underway in Washington for Monday’s summit, where Russian territorial demands and Ukraine’s security guarantees will be discussed. Here is what we know before the meeting between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and leading European leaders.
Plan of the Trump‑Zelensky Meeting
According to CNN, citing sources familiar with the plans for Monday’s summit in Washington, the meeting will be divided into parts. “The United States President Donald Trump and the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will first meet individually with their delegations. Then it is expected that they will join a wider session with other European leaders coming to Washington. A joint lunch meeting is also possible,” the station describes. Topics will cover Russia’s territorial demands and the shape of security guarantees for Ukraine, including the role the United States will play. It is known that Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General, Emmanuel Macron, the French President, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the German Chancellor, Alexander Stubb, the President of Finland, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Giorgia Meloni, head of the Italian government, will fly to the USA. Who will represent Poland remains unknown.
Zelenski: A Historic Decision
On Sunday Zelenskiy wrote on his social media that “this historic decision is that the United States is ready to participate in security guarantees for Ukraine.” He stressed that they must be “very practical and provide protection on land, in the air, and at sea, and must be developed with Europe’s involvement.” Special US envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff announced on CNN that Vladimir Putin had agreed to US security guarantees for Ukraine under a potential peace deal. “Yes, we succeeded in securing the following concession: The United States could offer Ukraine protection in the style of Article Five NATO,” he said. He noted that “for the first time, we heard that Russians agreed to include such a provision in a peace agreement.”
Last Visit of Zelenski to the White House
Recall the recent time when the Ukrainian president visited the White House at the end of February, a quarrel erupted in the Oval Office in front of reporters. The American president and his deputy J.D. Vance accused Zelenskiy of being ungrateful, saying his stance “plays with a third world war.” They also told him there was “no cards in hand.” The situation worsened when the U.S. Vice President said that “the path to peace” is establishing diplomatic relations with Russia. “Putin broke the ceasefire. He killed our people. We signed an agreement for prisoner exchange, but he did not do that. What diplomatic relations are you talking about?” Zelenskiy asked. Vance said it was a lack of respect to come to the Oval Office and try to have a dispute before American media. Finally the rare earth minerals agreement was not signed. Prior to the meeting, Trump tried to convince that the agreement would be signed and it was “fair” and the truce with Russia “is quite close.” Zelenskiy left the White House prematurely with his delegation. The document was supposed to include a provision for establishing an Investment Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine to support long-term economic stability in a country attacked by Russia.