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LONDON — Ukraine and its allies were left scrambling on Sunday after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a dramatic policy shift during his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Trump, who had previously pushed for a ceasefire as a condition for negotiations, indicated he is now aligning more closely with the Kremlin’s approach, focusing instead on a permanent peace deal. The move unsettled Kyiv and its European backers, who fear it could weaken Ukraine’s bargaining position while Russia continues its offensive.
European Leaders Rush to Washington
In response, several European leaders announced plans to join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington on Monday. Among them are NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Merz’s office said the visit would focus on “security guarantees, territorial issues, and continued support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.”
The urgency reflects growing concern that Kyiv could be left isolated in peace talks now shaped by Trump’s direct engagement with Moscow.
Security Guarantees on the Table
Despite abandoning his push for a ceasefire, Trump did signal potential openness to European concerns by discussing possible NATO-like security guarantees for Ukraine.
According to senior administration officials, Trump spoke with Zelenskyy and several European leaders early Saturday about a framework where the U.S. and Europe would commit to Ukraine’s defense if Russia were to invade again after a peace deal.
Importantly, however, the guarantees would stop short of full NATO membership — a long-standing demand from Kyiv and several European capitals.
Ukraine’s Unease
Zelenskyy, visibly cautious, warned that Moscow’s refusal to pause its military campaign was complicating negotiations.
“Russia rebuffs numerous calls for a ceasefire and has not yet determined when it will stop the killing. This complicates the situation,” Zelenskyy posted on X late Saturday.
For Ukrainians under daily bombardment, the optics of the Alaska summit stirred frustration.
“I was hoping that the U.S. wouldn’t roll out the red carpet to the enemy,” said Kyiv resident Natalya Lypei. “How can you welcome a tyrant like this?”
What Comes Next
The developments come ahead of a virtual meeting of the so-called “coalition of the willing” — more than 30 nations working to coordinate support for Ukraine.
As the war drags on, the Alaska summit underscored both the urgency and the deep divisions over how to achieve peace. With Trump now pivoting toward Putin’s terms, Europe and Ukraine face their toughest diplomatic challenge yet: keeping the U.S. firmly aligned with Kyiv’s survival.
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