Zelenskyy Heads to White House for High-Stakes Meeting as U.S. and Europe Weigh Peace, Security Guarantees for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday for what could become a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to end the war in Ukraine. The meeting, expected to be attended by several top European leaders, comes amid renewed diplomatic momentum, growing international pressure, and intense debate over what compromises — if any — might bring peace.

The visit follows Trump’s recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, where discussions reportedly shifted from a proposed ceasefire to broader negotiations aimed at crafting a comprehensive peace agreement. The U.S. and several European countries are now exploring the possibility of offering Ukraine significant long-term security assurances as part of a larger framework to bring the war to an end.

According to U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who helped facilitate the Anchorage talks, Putin expressed openness to allowing the West to provide Ukraine with “robust security guarantees” as part of a negotiated settlement.

“We reached an understanding that the United States and selected European allies could issue Article 5-style guarantees,” Witkoff told CNN, referencing NATO’s collective defense clause — the principle that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

These guarantees would not be formal NATO commitments but would involve a coalition of Western nations offering strong, though non-binding, protections to Ukraine in the event of future aggression. The move could give Kyiv a sense of security without triggering NATO’s formal involvement, which both Moscow and Washington have sought to avoid escalating.

Zelenskyy welcomed the idea during a press conference in Brussels over the weekend, standing alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“It’s a positive sign that the United States and Europe are working together on providing security guarantees,” he said. “We are grateful to the U.S. administration for signaling support, but we still need clarity on what this would mean in practical terms — what’s the scope, what’s the enforcement, and what’s the role of each partner.”

The Ukrainian leader’s upcoming White House visit is seen as a critical test for the evolving strategy. While Trump appears committed to ending the war through diplomacy, there remain major sticking points — especially on the issue of territorial integrity.

Zelenskyy made it clear during his Sunday remarks in Brussels that Kyiv will not agree to surrender any territory not currently under Russian occupation. He emphasized that the Ukrainian constitution explicitly prohibits ceding sovereign land.

“We want real negotiations,” he said. “But Ukraine cannot and will not negotiate away any part of our country that is not currently occupied. The constitution forbids it, and our people will not accept it.”

This position could become a central obstacle to any final peace agreement, especially as reports suggest that some Western policymakers have quietly explored whether limited territorial concessions could expedite an end to hostilities.

Zelenskyy also pointed out that Russia has failed to capture the contested eastern regions it has sought since 2014. “Putin has tried for over a decade to take that territory — and he has failed,” Zelenskyy said. “That land is not up for discussion.”

Trump, for his part, has described a peace deal as the optimal outcome. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a ceasefire remains on the table as an interim step — but the focus has shifted toward building a more durable peace framework.

Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday, Rubio confirmed that both the U.S. and its European allies now view a full peace agreement as the clearest path forward.

“There’s broad agreement that the best way to end this war is with a comprehensive peace,” Rubio said. “A ceasefire was previously discussed, but Russia never agreed to one. If we can get a peace deal tomorrow, that’s obviously the best scenario.”

The White House meeting is expected to include closed-door sessions involving key European leaders and members of the U.S. National Security Council. The discussions will likely focus on hammering out the contours of any potential security pact and assessing how to ensure both Ukraine’s sovereignty and Russia’s cooperation.

Zelenskyy acknowledged the tension surrounding the visit, referencing his last White House appearance, which was overshadowed by a tense exchange between Trump and Vice President JD Vance. This time, he said, he hopes for a more focused and productive dialogue.

“We’ve come a long way since then,” Zelenskyy told reporters. “This war has taken a toll on everyone, and now is the time for leadership, not conflict, in the room.”

As the war enters its fourth year, and with the 2026 U.S. midterms on the horizon, Monday’s meeting may set the tone for a critical chapter in the search for peace in Eastern Europe.