Zelensky – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reaffirmed that it is Russia’s responsibility to end the war in Ukraine, just hours before meeting former U.S. President Donald Trump and several European leaders in Washington. The meeting comes on the heels of a failed summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which did not produce a ceasefire or meaningful peace framework.
Ahead of Monday’s talks, Trump publicly pressed Zelensky to make concessions, including dropping Ukraine’s bid to join NATO and surrendering Crimea—a position that has already drawn criticism from both Ukrainian and European officials.
“Russia must end this war, which it itself started,” Zelensky wrote upon landing in Washington. “Ukrainians are fighting for their land, their independence. I hope that our joint strength with America, with our European friends, will force Russia into a real peace.”
Zelensky to Meet Trump, European Leaders Amid War Escalation
The Zelensky-Trump meeting will be followed by broader discussions involving European leaders, including those from France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and Britain. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are also expected to participate.
This will be Zelensky’s first visit to Washington since a tense confrontation with Trump and Vice President JD Vance earlier this year, during which the Ukrainian leader was criticized for being “ungrateful” regarding U.S. support.
Meanwhile, Russia intensified its attacks, launching over 140 drones and four ballistic missiles at Ukraine late Sunday. A Russian drone strike on a residential building in Kharkiv killed at least seven people, while Ukrainian shelling in Russian-occupied territories reportedly killed two people.
Following his meeting with Putin in Alaska, Trump appeared to pivot from advocating a ceasefire to pushing for a final peace deal, placing increased pressure on Zelensky.
“Zelensky could end the war almost immediately, if he wants to,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Remember how it started. No getting back Obama-given Crimea, and no going into NATO. Some things never change!”
The remarks suggest Trump may support Russian territorial claims, including retaining Crimea and large parts of Donbas, in exchange for a temporary ceasefire elsewhere.
According to sources briefed on Trump’s recent call with European leaders, he is “inclined to support” a Russian request to be granted control over parts of Donetsk and Lugansk—even areas it hasn’t fully captured.
Despite mounting international pressure, Zelensky has reiterated his position that Ukraine will not cede any territory. He emphasized that the Ukrainian constitution prevents giving up any part of the country to a foreign power.
In recent years, Russia has annexed Crimea (2014) and claimed sovereignty over four Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—even though its military does not fully control those areas. Zelensky has called these claims illegitimate and vowed to resist them diplomatically and militarily.
“Ukraine’s borders are not negotiable,” Zelensky stated during a press conference in Brussels before his U.S. trip. “The world cannot reward aggression by handing over our land.”
Another critical topic in the Washington meetings is the possibility of security guarantees for Ukraine, especially as Zelensky continues to advocate for NATO membership.
Trump has reportedly discussed the idea of offering Ukraine collective defense guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5, but outside the official NATO framework. While this would provide Ukraine some level of security, it falls short of Zelensky’s long-standing goal of full NATO integration, which is strongly opposed by Moscow.
Zelensky described Washington’s recent proposals on security as “historic” but emphasized that Ukraine’s long-term security requires a commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Ukrainian president’s visit to Washington is not just about negotiations with Trump. Zelensky is also aiming to shore up support among European leaders, especially after signs of disagreement within the U.S. political establishment regarding continued aid to Ukraine.
As China urged all parties to reach a peace agreement “as soon as possible,” Zelensky expressed concerns over the outcome of the Trump-Putin talks and said he would seek clarity on any agreements or informal promises made in Alaska.
As Zelensky enters one of the most pivotal meetings of his presidency, he faces intense pressure to make difficult decisions about Ukraine’s future. With Russia increasing its attacks and Trump pushing for a deal that may favor Moscow’s territorial ambitions, Zelensky is walking a diplomatic tightrope.
His firm stance—that Russia must end the war it started and that Ukraine will not give up its land—is now being tested on the world stage. The outcome of these talks may not only shape the direction of the war but also Ukraine’s future role in the international order.
Source- EWN
