European Leaders Rush to Washington to Prevent Ukraine 'Capitulation'
European leaders aim to dissuade President Trump from undermining long-term security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe after his abrupt policy shift.
European leaders travel to Washington
European heads of state made an unanticipated journey to Washington in mid-August, aiming to dissuade U.S. President Donald Trump from altering the long-term security outlook for Ukraine and the continent.
Following Trump’s shift away from demanding a ceasefire as a precondition for peace talks and his decision not to pursue further sanctions on Russia, European leaders from France, Italy and other member states moved swiftly to coordinate a unified diplomatic response.
Concerns over policy reversal
Officials warned that Trump’s recent meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Alaska risked undermining months of Western strategy in favor of Moscow’s interests. EU and NATO chiefs joined the trip to emphasize that any lasting peace must include security guarantees and a robust Ukrainian defense.
Objectives and strategy
The delegation sought to persuade Washington that:
- Territorial concessions alone cannot secure a durable peace.
- Security guarantees must go beyond verbal assurances to include sustained military and financial support.
This support would involve continued deliveries of American weapons funded by European partners and uninterrupted access to U.S. intelligence, making it clear that Ukraine’s army should remain strong and capable of deterring future aggression.
A key concern is to prevent discussions on territorial swaps from proceeding before an agreed framework and some form of ceasefire is in place.
European leaders are racing to realign U.S. policy on Ukraine after President Trump signaled a major shift favoring Russia, insisting that long-term security guarantees and Ukrainian military strength are essential for lasting peace.
This topic was reported by BBC.
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