European Leaders Yet To Confirm US Visit For Meeting With Zelensky

The governments of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are yet to decide whether their leaders will travel to the United States for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to media reports.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will coordinate on Sunday to decide whether they will attend the Washington meeting on August 18.

Germany’s Bild daily reported that the US must issue an official invitation for the decision to proceed.

Reports suggest that President Trump encouraged Zelensky to invite European leaders, but the US has not extended formal invitations so far.

European governments remain cautious, with concerns that the gathering could serve primarily as a publicity event.

In the meantime, the so-called ‘coalition of the willing’ will hold an online conversation at 3 PM local time (1 PM GMT) on Sunday.

The Elysee Palace confirmed that Macron, Merz, and Starmer will participate in the video conference to discuss ‘next steps as part of the discussion on peace in Ukraine’.

The three leaders had previously announced plans for talks but had not disclosed a date until now.

The consultation is seen as a coordinated effort to present a united European stance ahead of Zelensky’s high-profile meeting with Trump in Washington.

Trump–Putin Talks in Alaska

The uncertainty follows Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base in Alaska on Friday. Their talks lasted nearly three hours, including a private discussion in Trump’s limousine and a subsequent small-group session.

Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov joined the Russian delegation, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff accompanied Trump.

Putin said the discussions focused heavily on resolving the Ukraine conflict. Trump later described the summit as very productive.

Reports in US and Russian media indicate that Trump proposed a potential peace deal under which Ukraine would concede the remainder of the Donbass region to Russia, including areas not under current Russian control.

In exchange, Russia would halt further offensives, and both sides would agree to a ceasefire along the present-day frontlines. Security guarantees for Kyiv and Europe were also part of the reported proposal.

Following the Alaska summit, Trump spoke with Zelensky, EU leaders, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He urged that Ukraine and Russia should move directly towards a final peace deal, abandoning earlier calls for a preliminary ceasefire.

Trump and Zelensky are scheduled to meet at the White House on Monday. The US President has stated that, should discussions prove successful, he intends to arrange another summit with Putin.

Also Read: Trump Pushes For Trilateral Summit With Putin & Zelensky On August 22