European Delegation to Accompany Ukraine's Zelenskyy on Washington Trip

KYIV – Prominent European and NATO figures have announced their upcoming visit to Washington, where they will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for critical discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump. This gathering signifies solid support for Zelenskyy following his exclusion from Trump's previous summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

This significant development has seen a wave of European officials committing to stand beside Zelenskyy during Monday’s White House meeting. This is perceived as an initiative to avoid a repetition of the tense episode in February when Trump had a confrontational exchange with the Ukrainian president.

Retired French General Dominique Trinquand commented, 'The Europeans are anxious about avoiding a replay of the past Oval Office scenario. Their full backing of Mr. Zelenskyy is designed as a strategic show of solidarity.'

The presence of European leaders aims to reinforce European backing for Ukraine, addressing apprehensions in Kyiv and across Europe that Ukraine might be coerced into an unfavorable peace deal by a negotiation Trump is eager to facilitate with Russia.

While it is yet uncertain which leaders will attend the actual discussions with Trump, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed via social media platform X that she will be in attendance at Zelenskyy’s request.

NATO’s Secretary-General Mark Rutte is also set to attend the meeting, according to a release from his press team.

Though the French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated his plans to head to Washington alongside Zelenskyy on Monday, it did not confirm whether he will participate in the discussions directly.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will join the European contingent, but similarly, it is not specified if he will partake in the talks with Trump.

These actions underscore European leaders’ resolve to ensure their input in Trump's peace-making efforts, especially after Zelenskyy was excluded from the recent U.S.-Russia summit led by Trump and Putin.