EU leaders travel to Washington as Zelensky's "backup"

European leaders are heading to Washington in an effort to prevent US President Donald Trump from increasing pressure on Volodymyr Zelensky and making new demands on Ukraine for a peace settlement after talks between the US president and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Politico reported, citing European diplomats.

Diplomats told Politico that "expect that European leaders will accompany Zelensky to ensure that key red lines are not crossed and that Ukraine is not forced to give up territory against its will in order to reach an agreement".

Diplomats have noted that Europe's security is a major concern. Sources said European leaders want to see firm security guarantees as a result of the negotiations. "For the first time, the U.S. has clearly backed the guarantees, allowing for a breakthrough in negotiations on a possible deal," said one European diplomat. "The president needs to make it clear to Zelensky that the U.S. is committed to providing guarantees, and then work to specify what it is committed to," He added.

Diplomatic sources said the trip was initiated by Finnish President Alexander Stubb and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will also join Zelensky in Washington for a meeting with the US president.

After meeting with Putin in Alaska on 15 August, Trump held a telephone conversation with Zelensky, as well as with the leaders of the UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, France, the Secretary General of NATO and the President of the European Commission. Later, Zelensky said he was in Washington to discuss with Trump the details of ending the conflict.

TASS/gnews.cz - GH