After the Alaska-Putin meeting, Zelenskyy drops power move to ensure Donald Trump ‘can’t corner him behind closed doors’ in America

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not face Donald Trump alone in their upcoming White House meeting. After being excluded from Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Zelenskyy has arranged for a powerful group of European leaders to join him in Washington on Monday. The move comes as Ukraine scrambles to respond to Trump’s apparent shift toward Putin’s position following their Friday meeting.

The dramatic diplomatic gathering follows Trump’s high-profile summit with Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska on August 15. Putin received red carpet treatment, complete with fighter jets and warm applause from Trump. However, the summit ended without achieving Trump’s stated goal of securing a ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump’s history of controversial diplomatic moves has made European leaders increasingly concerned about Ukraine’s position in any negotiations.

European officials fear Trump might pressure Zelenskyy into accepting unfavorable terms. As one analysis posted on X, by bringing EU and NATO leaders along, Zelenskyy ensures Trump “can’t corner him behind closed doors” and that “every word will be witnessed by Europe’s top leadership.” The strategy represents a coordinated effort to prevent Ukraine from being isolated in negotiations that could determine its territorial integrity and future security arrangements.

European leaders rally around Ukraine in unprecedented show of support

The list of attendees reads like a who’s who of European leadership. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb have all confirmed their attendance. Von der Leyen announced she would join the talks “at the request of President Zelensky.”

This remarkable show of unity comes as Ukraine and its allies work to navigate America’s new approach to ending the war. Trump’s previous encounters with world leaders have often been unpredictable, making European coordination essential. The meeting represents the largest gathering of European leaders at the White House for Ukraine-related talks since the war began.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that European officials are traveling to protect Zelenskyy from being “bullied into a deal.” However, sources familiar with the situation suggest Trump’s positions following the Putin summit appear unfavorable to Ukraine. Reports indicate Putin wants all of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region in exchange for freezing current front lines, a demand that both Ukraine and European allies consistently reject.

The meeting comes after Trump’s February Oval Office encounter with Zelenskyy, which devolved into a heated argument. Trump and Vice President Vance publicly accused the Ukrainian leader of disrespect, creating tensions that European leaders hope to avoid this time. The previous confrontation highlighted the challenges in Trump’s diplomatic approach, particularly when dealing with Ukraine’s requests for continued military aid and security guarantees.