Zelensky heads to Washington as Trump outlines peace plan with Putin

Ukrainian President Zelensky and European leaders arrived in Washington to hear Trump’s proposed peace deal with Russia. Allies fear the plan, discussed with Putin, could force Kyiv into territorial concessions. Trump is pushing for quick progress, while Europeans stress security guarantees and caution against a rushed agreement favoring Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington on Monday with European leaders amid deep concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed peace framework with Russia. The talks follow Trump’s summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where the two reportedly discussed territorial concessions and security guarantees for Kyiv.

Trump is expected to push Ukraine toward a settlement that could freeze current battle lines, potentially handing Russia control over parts of Donetsk and Luhansk while halting further advances in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. European allies fear such terms would tilt heavily in Moscow’s favor and undermine Kyiv’s sovereignty.

French President Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders are pressing Trump to avoid a rushed agreement. Macron warned that showing weakness now would invite future conflicts, not only for Ukraine but for Europe as well. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has previously suggested limited security guarantees for Kyiv, an idea now resurfacing in Washington.

Trump has hinted at offering Ukraine NATO-style assurances without granting formal membership, though details remain unclear. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tempered expectations, saying negotiations were still far from a final accord. Meanwhile, Russia continues incremental advances in eastern Ukraine, raising the urgency for Kyiv and its partners.

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For Zelensky, the stakes are existential. His government is bracing for pressure to accept concessions on NATO membership and territorial claims, including the permanent loss of Crimea. With Trump eager for a quick deal, Ukraine and its allies are seeking firm guarantees before committing to terms that could reshape the region’s security landscape for decades.