European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and leaders of several European countries have announced that they will attend Monday’s meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his US counterpart Donald Trump at the White House.
“At the request of President Zelenskyy, I will attend a meeting with President Trump and other European leaders at the White House tomorrow,” von der Leyen wrote on X Sunday morning, shortly before welcoming Zelenskyy in Brussels for a video conference of the so-called coalition of the willing.
At a press conference following Zelenskyy’s arrival, von der Leyen stressed the need for Europe to remain united in its support for Kyiv, both militarily and politically. “We will support Ukraine as long as it takes until there is a lasting peace,” she said, adding that the EU is preparing its 19th sanctions package against Russia for September. She also called for strengthening Ukraine’s domestic drone production and for turning its armed forces into what she described as a “steel porcupine” capable of withstanding enemy aggression.
Broad European attendance at the White House
According to officials, European leaders will join Zelenskyy in Washington not only to coordinate transatlantic policy but also to ensure Europe has a strong role in any future negotiations with Moscow. Kyiv has repeatedly insisted that the continent must not be sidelined in potential talks, arguing that European security is directly at stake.
Von der Leyen will be joined in Washington by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Outside the EU, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is also expected to attend.
You might be interested
Zelenskyy seeks to anchor Ukraine’s position
The strong European turnout reflects concerns that Trump’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska could signal a shift in U.S. priorities. While those talks produced no visible results, Trump dropped his earlier demand for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and expressed interest in pursuing a broader peace agreement with Moscow. That position was welcomed in some European capitals but viewed with caution in Kyiv.
For Zelenskyy, Monday’s meeting represents an opportunity to reinforce Ukraine’s position in both Washington and Brussels, reassuring Ukrainians that the West remains committed to long-term support. For European leaders, it will be a chance to press Trump directly on security guarantees for Ukraine and to assert the EU’s role in shaping Europe’s post-war order.
