European politicians have rushed to Washington in a desperate attempt to avoid what they dread would be a drift towards Ukrainian surrender in peace talks. The diplomatic flurry follows after US President Donald Trump dramatically changed course on Ukraine after a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week.
Trump not only abandoned his initial insistence on a ceasefire prior to peace negotiations but also indicated he would not impose fresh sanctions on Moscow. European officials are concerned these gestures lean US policy further toward Russian interests at the expense of months of coordinated Western policy.
Leaders Cut Holidays Short to React
French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer accompanied EU and NATO leaders on the hastily arranged visit. Several abbreviated summer vacations, highlighting the seriousness of the moment. Macron, who had been photographed vacationing along the Riviera days earlier, stated simply: “There is one state putting forward a peace that would be capitulation: Russia.”
Government officials report that the European leaders spent the weekend taking several group calls, attempting to find common ground ahead of making the trip to Washington. The urgency is a reflection of concerns that Trump’s policy change will destabilize not only Ukraine but the security of the entire continent.
Core European Concerns
Diplomats state that the delegation’s mission is to counter two notions on the rise in Washington: that peace can be had through Ukraine surrendering territory in the Donbas region, and that security guarantees could be treated separately from territorial integrity.
“Very much this is a matter of the security of our continent,” said a British diplomat. European leaders demand guarantees of security go beyond promises and entail concrete, long-term military aid and funding to Kyiv.
In the EU position are the preservation of Ukraine’s military capabilities, the provision of arms bought by Europeans, and the continuation of intelligence-sharing with Kyiv. This would effectively short-circuit Russia’s call for the demilitarisation of Ukraine.
Risks in Washington
Though united in their intention, the European leaders risk great danger. Trump has been prone to bristle at what he perceives as pressure from friends, and the worry is that pressuring him too much would turn against them. “The delegation is quite unwieldy,” a European official said, with disagreements on how deeply Europe should get entangled in the post-war security of Ukraine.
In order to steer clear of confrontation, the leaders might concentrate on slowing the tempo of talks and putting off unsolicited land-swap offers. Instead, they will be asked to advance offers for negotiations on a potential trilateral summit among Trump, Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Formulation of broad principles for a future agreement and the framework for the negotiations may also be on the table.
