EU Leaders Join Selenskyj for Diplomatic Talks in Washington

Berlin - Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany will accompany Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj to Washington for a crucial meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The delegation also includes Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, alongside other European leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

This diplomatic engagement follows Selenskyj's announcement on Saturday regarding his visit to Trump at the White House. The primary focus of the discussions will center around a potential peace agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. European leaders, including Merz, had previously advocated for a ceasefire as a prerequisite for entering peace negotiations. However, Trump's stance complicates matters.

Trump, following his meeting with Putin in Alaska, dismissed the idea of an immediate ceasefire. He emphasized the necessity of an all-encompassing peace agreement, arguing that it is vital for genuinely ending the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Trump stated that a mere ceasefire often lacks durability and fails to address the root of the conflict.

The discussions on Monday will also encompass potential security assurances for Ukraine. According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, Trump is prepared to offer protections to Ukraine against future Russian aggressions. This proposition includes discussions on military and financial support, although Trump has not committed to the deployment of U.S. troops within Ukraine, indicating that this responsibility should fall on European nations.

In light of the proposed peace negotiations, it has been reported that Putin has set forth demands to Trump. These demands include a complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donetsk region, where Ukrainian troops currently hold approximately one-third of the territory. Putin claims this area entirely for Russia. In return, he has allegedly offered to freeze the front lines in the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, suggesting a strategy to consolidate Russian control over these territories.

This upcoming meeting is expected to be pivotal in shaping the future of Ukraine's security and diplomatic relations with both the United States and Russia. The outcome could have significant implications for the ongoing conflict and the stability of the region.