Unity in Washington: European Leaders Back Zelensky during White House meeting
- Vasco Rego
- Aug 23
- 6 min read
Following the pursuing peace summit between President Trump and President Putin, Trump rapidly invited Zelensky to meet with him in the White House. However, the meeting between the two presidents would not go down the same as it had in February this time. Five European leaders, Ursula von der Leyen and NATO secretary Mark Rutte, would also be present at the meeting (whether they were formally invited by the White House or announced their presence and support of President Zelensky is at best) was a strong shot of European unity against Putin’s provocations, ensuring that Trump could not act rogue and without them. A lot happened in this meeting, which was considerably longer than the two-hour chit-chat in Alaska, and there is a lot to impact, analyse, and say about it. In between United European action, Trump had small side talk with the Kremlin and the president’s new and more diplomatic approach to Zelensky. I am to explain, analyse, and discuss the significance of the key aspects and outcomes of this historic meeting.
Europe strikes back
President Trump went solo when he invited Putin to Alaska on Friday, leaving Europe and Ukraine to the side. The bilateral approach sent a strong statement across the Atlantic: “I don’t need you.” President Trump felt confident he could end the war alone but suffered a hard reality check after the summit fell flat on its face, and Trump went home empty-handed. Trying to fix his mistake, Trump invited Zelensky to come meet him in the White House for peace talks, and shortly after five European leaders announced they would also be present. The leaders were very clear that they were coming in support of and to help President Zelensky, and made strong and bold demands for Ukraine’s security and made many statements of unity with Ukraine and opposition to Russia.
I believe the best and strongest speech was from Giorgia Meloni, Italian Prime Minister, who was clear in regards to Italy’s stance on the matter: “We are on the side of Ukraine,” stated Meloni. She also congratulated and credited the bravery of Ukrainian soldiers in stopping Russian advance and leading “a change in Russia,” helping to end the war. Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister, made similar statements showing support for Ukrainian soldiers, saying “Ukraine has supported the brunt (of Russian aggression).” Messages of unity with Ukraine echoed from all European leaders, with Meloni stating, “We have to be united.” There were also calls for a more united West, a shift away from Russia. President Stubb reminded Trump it should be “Team Europe, Ukraine, and USA.” The response to Russian provocations and the bilateral meeting in Alaska went on. Chancellor Merz said, “Let’s put pressure on Russia,” refuting Trump and Putin’s narrative that Europe was impeding peace and putting the blame on Russia. Lastly, all leaders made strong demands for Ukraine security. French President Emmanuel Macron stated there should be a “strong Ukrainian army, now and for years to come,” directly challenging and rejecting Putin’s demands to disarm Ukraine. Additionally, Starmer and Meloni emphasised the need for Rutte’s proposed strong Article 5-like security guarantee. In the defense of civilians came Ursula von der Leyen, who was very vocal with her concerns about the kidnapped children and demanded that every child must be returned to their family.
This coordinated action and pressure forced Donald Trump to change his attitude from previously very pro-Putin statements to a position closer to Ukraine. European presence was also likely to be a major factor in the change in Trump‘s behaviour towards President Zelensky, drastically, and much less of a bully than in February. The Europeans were able to pressure Trump greatly, getting him to agree with many European and Ukrainian demands over Russian ones, namely in the area of security guarantees, with Trump going as far as floating the idea of US troops in Ukraine. But more on that later. Ultimately, Europe was able to toughen up and throw themselves back on the world stage and negotiation table. They showed Putin that they won’t let him go rogue and reaffirmed Europe’s unity with and support for Ukraine.
Putin wasn’t there, but he still spoke
President Putin was naturally not invited to the meeting, but like a ghost, his presence loomed in the White House halls. It was not because of his provocative statements directed at the meeting’s course or because of demands being discussed, but because Donald Trump seemed to serve as the role delegate of Russia speaking for him. Many times, Trump said that Putin was willing to end the war: “I think President Putin wants to find an answer to” and “I believe Vladimir Putin wants to see it ended.” It’s likely true that Vladimir Putin doesn’t want the order to end, but he wants to end with a crippled, designed, and disarmed Ukraine, as we can see by his demands on which she is not willing to compromise. So in all truth, Russia, like Finnish President Stubb said, is the aggressor and is in fact the real obstacle to peace. Trump is free marketing for Putin, spreading and supporting the pro Russian narrative, having stated in regards to ending the war in progress: “This can only be made by President Zelensky (…) in agreement with Putin,” spreading the idea that Ukraine is blocking a peace deal. It would appear Putin’s flattery of Trump in Alaska worked, and he repeats Putin’s claims, a narrative serving as a Russian propaganda machine and making sure the Kremlin had a seat at this meeting and the Kremlin‘s voice was heard.
Furthermore, Trump’s side talk with President Vladimir Putin interrupting the meeting can also be speculated as a show of defiance against the European action. We can only speculate what was said in the phone call. I definitely thought European leaders were in agreement with it. Russian state TV’s very positive coverage of the call indicates that it could’ve been another example of Trump’s close ties to Moscow.
Outcomes
The meeting was aimed at furthering the progress towards, to add to the list of the six wars Trump claims he ended. I believe progress was made as Ukraine’s demands were heard loud and clear thanks to Europe’s help, and the Kremlin finally admitted to a trilateral meeting this particularly important point, which we’ll discuss later in the section.
Trilateral meeting
After the meeting, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social a statement in which he announced that a trilateral meeting between Zelensky, Putin, and Trump was in the works. Obviously, this is excellent progress towards getting a deal agreeable for both sides, but there’s a lot more to it. Firstly, Zelensky’s presence and Putin putting himself available to negotiate with him means recognising him as the legitimate leader of Ukraine. This is a major loss for the Kremlin, who has since the start of the war argued that Zelensky is an illegitimate leader. This should be an admission of defeat from Putin and another failed Russian objective, which was to discredit Zelensky’s legitimacy and impose a pro-Russian government in Kyiv.
It is, however, a non-ideal outcome for Europe. President Macron had suggested a quadrilateral approach, but this wasn’t achieved. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t a win, though. European leaders pushed for a trilateral and got it in order to not leave Ukraine out of the negotiations table, but now Zelensky must face the uncompromising dictator invading his country and the world’s least consistent leader, alone.
Security Guarantees
Following the meeting, the US president seemed much more open to Ukrainian demands, namely in the field of security guarantees, than before. While JD Vance has stated that Europe would take most of the responsibility for the guarantees, he has not stated that the USA will not be involved. Trump also described the possibility of US troops in Ukraine, which is a major step in approximating Kyiv and Washington and opposing Moscow. Ukraine leaves with assurance of support and protection, with great help from European pressure. We cannot forget, however, that in 1994 Ukraine agreed to dismantle its nuclear weapons for security guarantees, and 20 years later they were invaded. These guarantees must be strong, not like Chamberlain promises to Czechoslovakia and the Second World War. We need guarantees which will be upheld and act. Like Meloni said, we need the guarantees “so it won’t happen again.”
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In conclusion, it was a phenomenal meeting for Europe and Ukraine, a true show of continental unity. While Trump may and has continued his contradictions and switching sides, he’ll be more cautious now as he knows Europe can impose itself. Zelensky goes home happy, knowing Europe has his back, and Putin watches wearily, seeing Europe fight back and stand united with Ukraine.
Sources:
NBC News. (2025, February 28). Watch Trump and Zelenskyy’s full remarks during White House meeting [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEOv4x_FIsc
The White House. (2025, August 18). President Trump Participates in a Multilateral Meeting with European Leaders [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpsG75j-0hY
Sky News. (2025, August 17). Vladimir Putin 'demands key regions of Ukraine in exchange
Sauer, P. (2025, August 16). Russia jubilant after Trump summit as Putin reportedly demands Donetsk and Luhansk. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/16/russia-jubilant-putin-alaska-summit-trump-ukraine
Timmons, H. Balintec, V. Law, Z. Craymer, L. Suleiman, F. Anagnostopoulos, C. Yip, R. Bint Talal, R. Johnson, N. J. Johnson, K. (2025, August 19) Several articles
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