Zelensky Lands in Washington for Urgent Talks Following Controversial Trump-Putin Summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Washington for critical, high-stakes discussions with US President Donald Trump, just days after a contentious summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. The visit, which includes European leaders, aims to push back against a perceived shift in the White House’s stance on the Ukraine conflict, particularly regarding peace terms and territorial concessions.

The backdrop to these urgent talks is Friday’s “historic” meeting in Alaska, where President Trump was seen warmly greeting and even applauding President Putin, whose full-scale invasion of Ukraine has caused immense devastation since 2022. Critics noted Trump’s deferential posture during the summit, appearing to cede the diplomatic stage to the Kremlin leader.

A primary concern for Kyiv and its European allies is President Trump’s apparent pivot on a ceasefire. While previously aligning with the view that a ceasefire must precede peace talks, Trump has recently signaled a preference for an immediate full peace deal, a long-standing demand from Moscow that favors Russia’s current military advantage. This shift, communicated via Trump’s Truth Social platform, puts immense pressure on Zelensky to accept terms that could include significant territorial concessions in the Donbas region, already annexed by Russia.

Ukrainian and European leaders are expected to strenuously resist demands for further territorial surrender, viewing such concessions as a red line. The ongoing negotiations in Washington will determine whether Kyiv can navigate these complex demands without being cast as an obstacle to peace, a narrative the White House may be inclined to adopt. The outcome of these talks will profoundly shape the future of the conflict and international diplomacy.

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