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Volodymyr Zelensky has invited seven European leaders to meet with Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, a tactical move that is adding to the "diplomatic fever" over Ukraine.
This includes Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubbs and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
A "European army" is seen as an attempt by the Ukrainian president to avoid a meeting last February with Trump and his vice president, Vance, who publicly humiliated him on live broadcast.
The Ukrainian president has secured the full support of the "Alliance of the Willing" led by Britain, France and Germany. The countries supporting Kiev will coordinate their steps again today via video conference. Yesterday, Macron, Merz and Starmer stressed that they consider it necessary to continue the pressure on Russia with the aim of an immediate ceasefire.
The allies also emphasized that they would prepare the Ukrainian president for any eventuality before his meeting with Trump, in order to avoid the awkward scene of their first meeting, which went very badly for the Ukrainian president.
"I will travel with President Zelensky and other European heads of state and government to Washington. We will exchange views with US President Trump on the state of peace efforts, security guarantees, territorial issues and further support for Ukraine," Merz said.
As for Giorgia Meloni, she has been described as "Trump's ear in Europe" and has spent time at the US president's Florida residence, where she was the only European leader invited to his inauguration in January. Trump, after all, has described her as a "wonderful person."
"The atmosphere could be more professional with European leaders like Stubb at Zelensky's side, and their participation as mediators could help avoid a repeat of the conflict in the Oval Office," British media report.
It is also noted that Alexander Stubb has repeatedly expressed his support for Ukraine, with Finland, other Nordic countries and the three Baltic states among Kiev's most steadfast supporters.
Stubb has a close relationship with the US president after they shared their mutual love of golf at a tournament at Mar-a-Lago in March.
The talks are still formal between Presidents Trump and Zelensky, but other leaders, including Keir Starmer, hope their presence in Washington will send a strong message that Europe stands with Ukraine.
Starmer has made considerable efforts to maintain a warm relationship with Trump. His visit to the White House in February was cordial, as was Trump’s recent visit to Scotland. Downing Street genuinely believes that Starmer’s presence at such events can help, that he can act as a mediator between Trump and Zelensky.
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