On Saturday midday in Europe, a pressing question circulated among government offices and the holiday retreats of the continent’s most influential leaders: as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy prepared for a pivotal meeting at the White House with President Donald Trump, who should accompany him?
Where such a scenario might once have sparked public disagreements among Germany, France, and the United Kingdom—the continent’s leading powers—this time, the response was notably unified.
Leaders from these countries agreed to join Zelenskiy on his trip to Washington for a summit focused on peace talks with Russia. Similarly, officials from Italy, Finland, the European Union, and NATO also planned to attend.
Although arriving on separate flights, they presented a consolidated front in discussions with President Trump.
“We came well-prepared and coordinated,” said Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz after the group’s meeting with Trump at the White House. “We expressed a shared viewpoint, which I believe was very well received by the U.S. president.”
President Trump’s persistent and occasionally unpredictable diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia have, in turn, strengthened ties among European leaders. This cohesion builds upon the unity established earlier this year amid trade tensions and uncertainties surrounding longstanding U.S. security commitments to Europe.
0 Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!