A high-stakes diplomatic gathering is set to unfold in Washington on Monday as a host of European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for talks with US President Donald Trump at the White House.

The meeting comes just days after Trump’s Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which has already shifted the trajectory of ongoing negotiations over the war in Ukraine.

Busy Week Of Diplomacy

Zelensky spent Sunday in Brussels alongside European Commission chief von der Leyen, who called on world leaders to bolster Ukraine’s defence with firm security guarantees. European capitals are actively debating how to extend NATO-style protections to Kyiv, even as battlefield casualties continue.

ALSO READ: Secret Affairs In Cockpit? Air Hostess Exposes What Pilots And Flight Attendant Do At 35,000 Ft

In the past 24 hours, five Ukrainians were reported killed and at least 11 were injured. Russia, for its part, claimed to have intercepted 46 long-range drones launched from Ukraine, with one civilian injured by falling debris.

Earlier in the day, the Nordic Baltic Eight group issued a joint statement stressing their commitment to ending Russia’s invasion. Responding, Zelensky said Moscow was deliberately complicating peace efforts but insisted a pathway to negotiations remains open.

Trump’s Shift In Approach

The Washington talks follow Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska, where the US president signalled a notable shift in strategy. Instead of initially pushing for a ceasefire, Trump now says he is prioritising a comprehensive peace settlement. This stance mirrors Putin’s stated objective of negotiating a long-term deal.

“First we have to stop the killings. Putin has many demands, but we do not know all of them,” Zelensky said in Brussels. “It’s impossible to do this under the pressure of weapons. So it’s necessary to cease fire and work quickly on a final deal. We’ll talk about it in Washington.”

ALSO READ: Who Will Be Pakistan’s Next President? Asim Munir Breaks Silence On Zardari's Exit, Says 'God Made Me Protector...'

Who Will Be At Table

A long list of top European officials is expected at the White House. Confirmed attendees include:

 - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

 - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

 - French President Emmanuel Macron

 - UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer

 - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

 - Finnish President Alexander Stubb

 - NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte