A cryptic post from U.S. President Donald Trump, claiming “BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA,” has sent shivers down the spine of Ukrainian officials and their European allies. The statement, made on his social media platform, comes just days after a three-hour summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The vagueness of the announcement has prompted a high-stakes diplomatic confrontation in Washington, D.C., where Ukrainian and European leaders will meet with Trump.
The Alaska meeting was a historic moment, as it was the first time Putin had been on Western soil since the 2022 invasion. While no formal peace agreement was announced, a U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff, described the outcome as “game-changing,” citing an agreement on “robust security guarantees” for Ukraine. Reports also suggest a controversial land-swap proposal was a key topic of discussion, which would see Ukraine cede a large section of its eastern territory.
In a show of unity, a powerful delegation of European leaders will accompany President Zelenskyy. This group includes French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also confirmed she will be joining the meeting.
The purpose of this collective visit is to ensure that any peace deal is not rushed and that Ukraine’s interests are at the forefront of the negotiations. The leaders are determined to push back against any pressure to accept a settlement that could be seen as a capitulation to Russia.
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