Keir Starmer and European leaders to join Zelensky and Donald Trump at the White House

European leaders are preparing to stand alongside Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington, where he is set to meet Donald Trump for peace talks at the White House. Confirmed attendees include Ursula von der Leyen (European Commission president), German chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish president Alexander Stubb, and French president Emmanuel Macron. Italy’s Giorgia Meloni has also signaled she will attend.

Before the White House meeting on Monday, leaders will first connect on Sunday for a video call hosted by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Macron, and Merz. Downing Street confirmed that Starmer will also be present in Washington.

The timing of this show of unity is significant. Reports suggest that Vladimir Putin is pushing for full control over Donetsk and Luhansk in exchange for withdrawing Russian troops from other occupied territories. According to several outlets, Trump appears open to backing such a plan, and this is expected to be a central topic when he meets Zelensky.

European leaders are approaching the talks cautiously, recalling the tense outcome of Zelensky’s last White House visit in February, which strained US-Ukraine relations.

In a statement, Starmer said he had spoken with Trump, Zelensky, and European partners, stressing the importance of continued unity:

“I welcome the openness of the United States, alongside Europe, to provide robust security guarantees to Ukraine as part of any deal. Until Putin ends his assault, we will keep tightening sanctions. Our unwavering support for Ukraine will continue as long as it takes.”

This moment could prove decisive not just for Ukraine, but for Europe’s security landscape as a whole.