European leaders are standing firmly with Zelensky as crucial talks with Trump unfold, raising hopes for progress.
The negotiations, shaped by NATO-style security pledges, could mark a turning point in Ukraine’s fight.
European leaders have rallied behind Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of high-stakes negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, signaling cautious optimism over a potential breakthrough to end the war with Russia.
The latest diplomatic push follows a summit in Alaska where Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly agreed to allow the United States and Europe to provide Ukraine with security assurances modelled after NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense principle. While the guarantees stop short of granting Ukraine full NATO membership, they are intended to deter further Russian aggression and lay the groundwork for a formal peace deal.
Several European heads of government joined Zelensky at the talks, underscoring the continent’s role in shaping the framework of any post-war security arrangement. Leaders emphasized that Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must remain central to the peace process.
However, skepticism lingers over the enforceability and scope of the proposed guarantees. Analysts warn that without precise mechanisms for rapid military support, Ukraine could remain vulnerable despite symbolic backing. Some European officials also question whether Washington and Brussels can commit to long-term defense obligations while balancing domestic political pressures.
For Zelensky, the support of European allies strengthens his negotiating position with Trump, who has cast himself as a potential dealmaker capable of bringing the war to an end. The talks are expected to address not only military security but also reconstruction aid, sanctions relief, and pathways for Ukraine’s eventual integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions. Putin’s willingness to accept limited security guarantees could signal a softening stance, but it also raises questions about Moscow’s endgame.
