Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting: What Are European Leaders Pushing For? Here’s What We Know & What to Expect

As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares to meet with US President Donald Trump along with seven European leaders at the White House today, their focus appears to be on pushing the US toward taking a firm stance against Russia while ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. From France’s Macron to Britain’s Starmer, here is how leaders across Europe are rallying behind Ukraine ahead of the crucial meeting.

Macron: Europe Must Stay Strong to Avoid Future Conflict

French President Emmanuel Macron has insisted on a tough approach toward Russia. Speaking after a virtual meeting of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ — Ukraine’s main European allies — Macron said Europe is ready to take responsibility for Ukraine’s security.

“We must enter into a new diplomatic phase … one in which we have to defend European interests,” the French President said, according to CNN. “We are going tomorrow to defend Ukraine and to defend ourselves. We have to be feared. To be feared, we have to be strong.”

Expressing doubts about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s desire for peace, he warned, “If we are weak with Russia today, we are preparing the conflicts of tomorrow,” while also revealing that he believes Trump wants peace.

Von der Leyen Calls for Ukraine to Become a ‘Steel Porcupine’

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the need for strong security guarantees. Speaking alongside Zelenskyy just a day ahead of the latter’s meeting with Trump, she reportedly said, “Ukraine must become a steel porcupine, undigestible for potential invaders.”

“There can be no limitations on Ukrainian armed forces, be it cooperation with or other third countries, or assistance from other third countries. No limitations for the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” the bloc chief added.

Welcoming Trump’s “willingness to contribute to Article Five” security guarantees — similar to NATO’s collective defense pledge  — von der Leyen stressed that any territorial decisions must be made by Ukraine alone, and not forced by outside parties.

Starmer and Macron Praise US Openness on Security Guarantees

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Macron expressed optimism after a recent call between Trump, Zelenskyy, and other European leaders. Starmer said, “I welcome the openness of the United States, alongside Europe, to provide robust security guarantees to Ukraine as part of any deal. This is important progress and will be crucial in deterring Putin from coming back for more.”

Starmer also praised Trump’s leadership, adding, “President Trump’s efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine,” much while stressing that any future negotiations must include the Ukrainian president.

“We will work with them and all our partners in the Coalition of the Willing… to make concrete progress,” Macron wrote in a post on X.

What to Expect in Today’s White House Talks

Today’s schedule includes:

* 12:00 pm ET (9:30 pm IST): Arrival of European leaders at the White House
* 1:00 pm ET (10:30pm IST:) Trump will welcomes Zelenskyy
* 1:15 pm ET (10:45pm IST): Bilateral meeting scheduled between Trump and Zelenskyy expected to begin around this time
* 2:15 pm ET (11:45pm IST): Trump will greet the European leaders
* 3:00 pm ET (12:30am the next day, i.e. Tuesday): Multilateral meeting with all EU leaders expected to take place

Notably, Monday’s gathering marks a shift from Zelenskyy’s last rather difficult Oval Office visit, with the Ukraine’s allies joining in this time, aiming to project a united front in supporting Kyiv.

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