Extract from ABC News
European and NATO leaders say they will join Ukraine's president for his meeting with Donald Trump. (Reuters: Evelyn Hockstein)
In short:
European leaders from Germany, France and Britain say they will accompany Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet Donald Trump in Washington.
It comes as Mr Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, told CNN the administration had won a concession from the Russians that would allow the US to offer NATO-like protection over Ukraine.
What's next?
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday local time said Russia still faced "consequences", including tougher sanctions, if it did not reach an agreement.
European leaders from Germany, France and Britain say they will accompany Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet Donald Trump in Washington, seeking to bolster him as the US president presses Ukraine to accept a quick peace.
Ahead of the White House talks on Monday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were hosting a meeting of allies, including Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, on Sunday to shore up Mr Zelenskyy's position.
The leaders were hoping in particular to lock down robust security guarantees for Ukraine that would include a US role.
Mr Trump is leaning on Ukraine to strike an agreement after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in Alaska.
According to sources, the US and Russian leaders discussed proposals for Russia to relinquish tiny pockets of occupied Ukraine in exchange for Ukraine ceding a swathe of land and freezing the front lines elsewhere.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on on Sunday, local time, Russia still faced "consequences", including tougher sanctions, if it did not reach an agreement.
At face value, some of Mr Putin's demands would be hugely difficult for Ukraine to accept, setting the stage for potentially fraught talks about ending Europe's deadliest war in 80 years, one that has killed or wounded more than 1 million people.
It comes as Mr Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, told CNN on Sunday the administration had won a concession from the Russians that would allow the US to offer NATO-like protection over Ukraine.
'Game-changing', Witkoff says
Mr Witkoff, who took part in the talks on Friday in Alaska, said it was the first time the US had heard Russia agree to the idea and called it "game-changing."
"The United States could offer Article 5 protection, which was the first time we had ever heard the Russians agree to that," Mr Witkoff said, referring to the NATO clause stipulating an attack against one member state was an attack against all.
Mr Zelenskyy hailed the possibility of Western security guarantees to Ukraine, speaking a day ahead of his meeting with Mr Trump.
"Security guarantees, as a result of our joint work, must really be very practical, delivering protection on land, in the air, and at sea, and must be developed with Europe's participation," he said on social media.
Donald Trump is leaning on Ukraine to strike an agreement after meeting Vladimir Putin. (Reuters: Jeenah Moon)
Europe has a voice
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will also travel to Washington, as will Finland's President Alexander Stubb, whose access to Trump included rounds of golf in Florida earlier this year.
Ms von der Leyen said on Sunday there can be no limits on Ukraine's armed forces or outside assistance.
"There can be no limitations on Ukrainian armed forces: be it cooperation with other third countries or assistance from other third countries," she said.
"As I've often said, Ukraine must become a steel porcupine, indigestible for potential invaders."
Ursula von der Leyen greets Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels on Sunday. (Reuters: Bart Biesemans)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is an admirer of many of Mr Trump's policies, will also go to Washington, her office said.
European allies are keen to avoid a repeat of Mr Zelenskyy's last Oval Office meeting in February, where Mr Trump berated him publicly for being "disrespectful".
"The talks will address, among other things, security guarantees, territorial issues, and continued support for Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression," the German government said in a statement about the Washington trip.
"This includes maintaining pressure on sanctions."
Volodymyr Zelenskyy clashes with Donald Trump and JD Vance during Oval Office talks.
Mr Merz, Mr Macron, Ms Meloni and Mr Starmer hosted a meeting of allies on Sunday to bolster Mr Zelenskyy's hand, hoping in particular to lock down robust security guarantees for Ukraine that would include a US role.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine's allies wanted robust security guarantees for Ukraine, no limits to Ukraine's armed forces, and a seat at the table with Mr Trump and Mr Putin for Ukraine to discuss its territory.
"As I've often said, Ukraine must become a steel porcupine, indigestible for potential invaders," she said.
'Very big power'
Mr Trump said on Friday that Ukraine should make a deal to end the war with Russia because "Russia is a very big power, and they're not".
After the Alaska summit with Mr Putin, Mr Trump phoned Mr Zelenskyy and told him the Kremlin chief had offered to freeze most front lines if Kyiv ceded all of Donetsk, the industrial region that is one of Moscow's main targets, a source familiar with the matter said.
Mr Zelenskyy rejected the demand, the source said.
Russia already controls a fifth of Ukraine, including about three-quarters of Donetsk province, which it first entered in 2014.
Donald Trump says he agrees with Vladimir Putin that a peace deal should be sought without the prior ceasefire. (Reuters: Kevin Lamarque)
Mr Trump also said he agreed with Mr Putin that a peace deal should be sought without the prior ceasefire that Ukraine and its European allies have called for.
That was a reversal of his position before the summit, when he said he would not be happy unless a ceasefire was agreed on.
Mr Zelenskyy said Russia's unwillingness to pause the fighting would complicate efforts to forge a lasting peace.
"Stopping the killing is a key element of stopping the war," he said on X.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has been gradually advancing for months.
In his statement after the Alaska summit, Mr Putin signalled no movement in Russia's long-held demands, which also include a veto on Kyiv's desired membership in the NATO alliance.
He also warned Ukraine and its European allies not to "create any obstacles".
"That they will not attempt to disrupt the emerging progress through provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigue," he said.
Reuters
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