International partners have once again confirmed that no decisions regarding the future of Europe can be made without Kyiv. The Nordic and Baltic countries issued a statement on security guarantees, and the U.S. declared its readiness to support Ukraine globally.
Trump hosted Zelensky and European leaders at the White House
A large-scale meeting was held at the White House in Washington, where President Donald Trump hosted President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and other European leaders. Participants included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Trump said, that it was a "great honor for America" to have so many European leaders gathered in Washington. The atmosphere at this meeting was much calmer than during Zelensky’s previous visit when he and Trump had a heated discussion.
Following a bilateral conversation between Trump and Zelensky, joint talks with the European leaders continued until late at night. They discussed security issues, future guarantees for Ukraine, and ways to achieve peace. Trump's announcement of plans to arrange a meeting between Zelensky and Putin was significant. Zelensky confirmed his willingness to meet with the Kremlin leader without preconditions.
After the war, Ukraine will be able to conclude security agreements with other countries, - Rubio
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that after the war, Ukraine will have the right to form security agreements with various states, not just NATO members or European allies.
In an interview with Fox News Rubio emphasized that this is the natural right of any sovereign country and that Russia will ultimately agree under pressure or through President Trump's mediation. He added that Washington is already working on creating a system of security guarantees involving both European and non-European countries. Rubio believes these agreements should form the basis for lasting peace after the war ends.
He clarified that the United States currently only sells weapons to Ukraine, which are paid for by European partners through NATO mechanisms, and does not provide them directly. Rubio also emphasized that security guarantees do not eliminate the need for a strong Ukrainian army because Kyiv sees it as the main pillar of its future.
At the same time, Rubio admitted that neither Ukraine nor Russia will get everything they want in the upcoming peace talks and will have to make concessions. The likely subjects of discussion will be territories and borders, which Rubio says will be "a difficult and perhaps even unfair process."
Zelensky-Putin meeting could take place within two weeks, Merz says
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin could take place within two weeks. participantsto Merz, US President Donald Trump convinced the Kremlin to agree to such a meeting during a telephone conversation that took place during a break in talks in Washington.
Merz specified that the location of the summit has not yet been determined and that Putin’s participation is still uncertain, as he may refuse. Nevertheless, the mere existence of the agreement suggests the prospect of direct dialogue, which the international community has long advocated for.
Merz also emphasized that the Europeans presented a united front during consultations in the United States, which impressed Trump. He believes that the next step could be a trilateral meeting, which would allow for substantive negotiations to begin on security guarantees for Ukraine. The chancellor emphasized that resolving the conflict requires the participation of all of Europe, as the issues of peace and stability extend far beyond Ukrainian-Russian relations.
Starmer at the White House called for progress on security guarantees for Ukraine
During a meeting at the White House, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that this event could be a “historic step” regarding security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe as a whole. He noted that the leaders had previously discussed this matter virtually, but the format of the in-person meeting fosters the conditions necessary for tangible progress.
Starmer stressed the importance of an approach similar to NATO’s Article 5, which establishes collective responsibility to protect a partner. He said that the United Kingdom is ready to actively participate in forming such guarantees and will support the United States' and Ukraine's initiatives.
Starmer emphasized that the trilateral negotiation format, including the United States, Ukraine, and European partners, is the next logical step to achieving just and lasting peace. He noted that the result of this meeting should be concrete agreements that provide Kyiv with security amid more than three years of war. Starmer believes that the allies' joint actions can alter the conflict's dynamics and enable Ukraine to move forward.
European Commission: format of security guarantees for Ukraine will be determined by technical teams
The European Commission reported, that the final format of security guarantees for Ukraine has not yet been agreed upon, and that work on the matter will continue in the coming weeks. According to spokeswoman Arianna Podestá, technical teams from the United States, European states, and the European Commission itself will participate in the process. Podesta emphasized that it is too early to discuss details, but the main objective is to bolster the Ukrainian army and establish long-term conditions for its growth. Podestá recalled that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had previously emphasized the importance of Ukraine's military resilience and welcomed the U.S.'s commitment to joining the future system of guarantees.
Podesta stated that the European Union is actively supporting Ukraine's Armed Forces while simultaneously working to strengthen its own defense capabilities. The work on the guarantees is being carried out in coordination with Kyiv. After negotiations in Washington, Kyiv announced the start of specifying future agreements. This means the discussion is shifting to a technical level, where practical mechanisms will be determined, ranging from defense procurement to partners' participation in collective obligations. Previously, it was noted that the system of guarantees may resemble NATO principles, although its final form is still being discussed.
Author: Danylo Pievchev