Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Donald Trump’s proposed peace conditions with Russia, setting the stage for a tense Oval Office meeting. Trump had publicly demanded on Sunday night that Kyiv relinquish its NATO ambitions and formally cede Crimea—concessions Zelensky swiftly rejected.
Zelensky, making his first trip to Washington since a heated February clash with Trump, will not arrive alone this time. Leaders from the UK, France, Germany, and Italy are joining him in a show of European solidarity, signaling concern that Trump might attempt to corner the Ukrainian leader into an unfavorable deal.
In a late-night post on Truth Social, Trump declared Zelensky could “end the war with Russia almost immediately” if he conceded on Crimea and NATO. Within 90 minutes, Zelensky fired back on X, stressing that Moscow—not Kyiv—must end the conflict. “Ukrainians are fighting for their land and independence,” he wrote, highlighting recent battlefield gains in Donetsk and Sumy.
Although he struck a lighter tone when addressing Trump directly, Zelensky was firm on Crimea: “Of course, Crimea should not have been given up then, just as Ukrainians did not give up Kyiv, Odesa, or Kharkiv after 2022.”
Intensified Attacks on Civilians
As the diplomatic drama unfolded, Russia unleashed fresh strikes on Ukraine. Kharkiv endured missile and drone attacks that killed at least three civilians—including a two-year-old boy—and wounded over a dozen others. Officials said hundreds of windows were shattered and entire neighborhoods damaged, while rescue workers pulled survivors from rubble. Neighboring Sumy also came under fire, with local leaders accusing Moscow of deliberately targeting civilians.
European Leaders Close Ranks
European officials fear Zelensky risks being strong-armed by Trump, whose last White House encounter with the Ukrainian president ended in a shouting match. Then, Trump accused him of “gambling with World War III,” while Vice President JD Vance chastised Zelensky for not showing enough gratitude.
This time, leaders such as Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer are joining Zelensky to prevent a repeat. “If we’re not strong today, we’ll pay dearly tomorrow,” Macron warned. Analysts argue the presence of EU leaders is an attempt to “box in” Trump, who has signaled he may align closer with Vladimir Putin’s demands.
After Alaska, New Pressure on Kyiv
The Washington meeting comes only days after Trump held a two-and-a-half-hour discussion with Putin in Alaska. Though no breakthrough was announced, reports suggest the talks leaned toward a framework that would see Ukraine surrendering swathes of Donbas in exchange for peace. Russia already controls most of Luhansk and significant parts of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—areas rich in strategic minerals.
Zelensky, however, continues to resist the narrative of “peace through surrender,” warning that agreeing to territorial losses without a ceasefire would only allow Putin to intensify his bombardment. “It’s impossible to do this under the pressure of weapons,” he insisted.
Meanwhile, Trump remains defiant, portraying the European show of unity as a personal victory. “Never had so many European leaders at one time. My great honor to host them!!!” he wrote online.
Even Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, pushed back, urging tougher measures on Moscow. Calling Putin “the bad guy,” Pence said Trump must push for immediate sanctions, warning that soft-gloved diplomacy would fail without a “hammer” to back it up.
