Brussels- European leaders will accompany Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. Attendees include UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO chief Mark Rutte, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.

The talks follow Trump’s Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which ended without a ceasefire deal. Trump later said he prefers a permanent peace agreement over a ceasefire, calling ceasefires unreliable. Reports suggest Putin offered terms requiring Ukraine to withdraw from Donetsk in exchange for Russia freezing front lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. European officials fear Trump may pressure Zelensky to accept.

Zelensky has rejected giving up the Donbas, stressing Russia could use it to launch further attacks. The UN and European leaders remain cautious but have backed Ukraine’s stance that peace cannot be achieved without Zelensky’s consent.

Monday’s meeting will be Zelensky’s first White House visit since February’s public clash with Trump, though the two leaders reconciled in April. Ukraine has since deepened ties with Washington through a minerals deal and commitment to pay for US weapons.

Concerns remain after Trump warmly received Putin in Alaska despite the ICC warrant against him. Zelensky insists peace must be lasting, not just a pause between Russian invasions.