Trump cranks up pressure on Zelensky ahead of his high-stakes White House return

 

President Donald Trump is increasing pressure on Ukraine to agree to terms for ending its war with Russia—terms that, in some respects, resemble Moscow’s own demands. This comes just two days after Trump’s meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

On Monday, Trump is set to host a high-stakes White House summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, joined by several key European leaders. Many see it as the most consequential gathering for European security since the Cold War. The outcome could test Trump’s role as a potential broker of peace—or reveal that his strategy leans more toward Putin’s position than Ukraine’s.

Fallout from the Alaska Meeting

Trump’s Alaska summit with Putin drew widespread concern, not only because the U.S. president offered a warm welcome to a leader accused of war crimes, but also because Trump appeared to grant symbolic concessions without extracting clear commitments in return. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, later claimed Russia had softened its stance on security guarantees for Ukraine and hinted at possible land swaps.

European officials, however, told CNN that Putin demanded control over large portions of the Donbas region—something Zelensky is unlikely to accept for political, constitutional, and strategic reasons. The region has been fiercely defended by Ukrainian forces, who view it as vital to protecting the country from future Russian aggression.

Adding to the uncertainty, no one outside the U.S. and Russian delegations knows exactly what was agreed upon in Alaska. Still, Trump insists that “great progress” was made. On Fox News, he bluntly urged Ukraine to “make a deal,” warning that Russia is “a very big power” and Ukraine is not. He doubled down on Truth Social, suggesting Zelensky could “end the war almost immediately” if he chose to.

European Concerns

This rhetoric has rattled Kyiv and its allies, who fear Trump may try to impose a Russian-designed settlement and blame Ukraine if talks collapse. Zelensky’s decision to arrive at the White House flanked by leaders of France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Finland, NATO, and the European Union underscores how much is at stake—not just for Ukraine, but for Europe as a whole.

European leaders worry that if Russia is allowed to claim victory in Ukraine, it could set a dangerous precedent, emboldening Moscow and destabilizing the continent. Fiona Hill, a former Russia adviser in Trump’s first term, put it plainly: “This is about Europe’s future and the future of European security, not just about Ukraine’s.”

What Each Side Wants

The challenge is that each player has a different priority. Europe wants a sovereign Ukraine secure from future Russian aggression. Trump seems focused on delivering a peace deal, regardless of how sustainable it is. Putin wants sweeping concessions: recognition of his territorial gains, restrictions on Ukraine’s military, and reduced NATO presence in Eastern Europe.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio admitted over the weekend that while some areas of common ground have emerged, major disagreements remain. “We’re still a long way off,” he said.

Trump’s Leverage—and Risks

Despite criticism of his overtures to Putin, Trump remains a pivotal figure. If U.S. pressure is applied effectively, it may be the one factor capable of forcing Russia toward compromise. But there are also doubts about whether Trump would truly honor security guarantees for Ukraine—especially given his past skepticism toward NATO.

At the same time, conservative media aligned with Trump has already begun painting Zelensky as the obstacle to peace, framing Trump as the peacemaker. This narrative could give Trump political cover to pressure Ukraine into concessions it cannot afford.

The Bigger Picture

Whether Trump is motivated by geopolitics, legacy, or even aspirations of a Nobel Peace Prize matters less than the outcome. If he can help forge a fair settlement, it would be a historic achievement. But if his approach tilts too heavily toward Moscow, it could fracture Western unity and weaken Europe’s security for decades.

The central question heading into Monday’s summit is simple: Will Trump act as a true mediator, or will he effectively side with Russia?