An unprecedented European summit is convening in Washington D.C. with the explicit purpose of countering President Trump’s apparent pivot toward Russia. The extraordinary gathering reflects deep European concern about being marginalized in decisions that will fundamentally affect the future of European security and Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The summit was convened in response to Trump’s optimistic assessment of his Alaska meeting with Putin, where he claimed substantial progress in bilateral relations. European leaders view this assessment with alarm, particularly given that Putin’s Western visit represented his first such appearance since launching an invasion that has created the greatest European security crisis since World War II.
The European summit features an remarkable assembly of continental leadership, including President Zelenskyy alongside Macron, Starmer, Merz, and von der Leyen. This unprecedented gathering demonstrates Europe’s collective determination to maintain its central role in any Ukraine settlement and prevent agreements that could compromise Ukrainian territorial integrity.
European counter-efforts focus specifically on opposing potential territorial compromise arrangements reportedly discussed during the Trump-Putin encounter. Despite American assurances about “robust security guarantees” described as “game-changing,” European leaders insist that any legitimate peace process must respect Ukraine’s right to self-determination and include meaningful European participation in both negotiation and implementation.