Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Washington, D.C., ahead of a crucial day of talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders, following Trump’s controversial meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
Zelensky confirmed his arrival late Sunday, posting on X:
“Grateful to @POTUS for the invitation. We all share a strong desire to end this war swiftly and credibly. Peace must be sustainable.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also announced she would join the discussions at the White House alongside other European leaders.
The White House schedule outlines a series of carefully choreographed meetings:
- 12:00 PM (EDT) – European leaders expected to arrive at the South Portico; media coverage permitted.
- 1:00–1:15 PM – Trump and Zelensky to greet each other, followed by a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office. Vice President J.D. Vance is also expected to attend. (The last meeting among the three, held in February, was reportedly tense.)
- 2:15–2:30 PM – Trump to greet European leaders in the State Dining Room, followed by a group photo in the Cross Hall.
- 3:00 PM – A high-stakes joint meeting between Trump, Zelensky, and European leaders in the East Room of the White House.
The talks are seen as pivotal in determining whether the U.S., Europe, and Ukraine can present a unified stance on security guarantees and a path toward ending Europe’s deadliest conflict in 80 years.
