European leaders will gather at the White House on Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, just days after President Donald Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting underscores the intensifying diplomatic push to secure a settlement in the Ukraine war, with Washington again at the center of negotiations.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced her attendance on Twitter, saying she was coming “at the request of President Zelenskyy.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will also travel to Washington, with his office describing the visit as an opportunity to exchange insights from Trump’s talks with Putin and to reaffirm Germany’s commitment to a “swift resolution” of the conflict. According to a translated statement, discussions will include security guarantees, territorial concerns, and Europe’s continued sanctions pressure on Moscow.
This afternoon, I will welcome @ZelenskyyUa in Brussels.
Together, we will participate in the Coalition of Willing VTC.
At the request of President Zelenskyy, I will join the meeting with President Trump and other European leaders in the White House tomorrow.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 17, 2025
French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are also expected to join, according to statements from their offices and reporting by The New York Times. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed his attendance as well, ensuring the alliance’s voice is part of the deliberations.
The gathering comes after a weekend of European leaders publicly reaffirming their support for Kyiv and after Trump’s first in-person meeting with Putin since his initial term, noted The Hill. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump briefed Zelensky and European leaders on the talks, later writing on Truth Social that “the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.” He suggested Zelensky’s Washington visit could set the stage for a follow-up round with Putin.
The Ukrainian leader welcomed the talks in his own statement, noting that Trump had already conveyed details of the Putin meeting. “It is important that America’s strength has an impact on the development of the situation,” he wrote, signaling cautious optimism that the flurry of diplomacy may finally produce a breakthrough.
