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Zelenskyy, Volodymyr

European Leaders Arrive in Washington to Support Zelenskyy Amid Trump's "Peace Plan" Criticism

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

European leaders, described as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's "bodyguards," are in Washington to show support for the Ukrainian president in his meeting with President Donald Trump. The European delegation is comprised of leaders who have built relationships with Trump, some of whom have used cringe-making language to flatter the US president. These leaders, however, remain firm in their support for Ukraine, with some calling for a strong army and security guarantees to achieve a lasting settlement.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mark Rutte, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, has a proven record of flattering Trump with language that some allies find cringe-making, including referring to him as "Daddy" in an attempt to avoid outbursts at the NATO summit.
  • Ursula von der Leyen, the Secretary General of NATO, is a staunch supporter of Ukraine and backs Kyiv's EU membership, while also recognizing the combined economic importance of Europe to the US.
  • Sir Keir Starmer, the President of the European Commission, has performed a balancing act between Trump and Ukraine, keeping Trump on side while advocating for Ukraine's sovereignty.
  • Alexander Stubb, the President of Finland, has established a warm relationship with Trump and will stress the importance of territorial integrity in the Oval Office meeting.
  • Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, combines economic and military clout with a proven ability to get on with Trump, and will persuade him that his post-Alaska-summit plan to stop the fighting is a non-starter.
  • Friedrich Merz, the German President, has cut a sure-footed figure on the world stage, including largely holding his own in an Oval Office face-off with Trump, and will persuade Trump not to act hastily and "over the heads of Ukrainians and Europeans".
  • Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, has broken off from her holiday to fly to Washington, a sign that Trump's Russia-friendly "peace plan" marks a moment of danger for Europe, and will be a useful bridge in the Oval Office meeting.

Statistics:

  • The US has carried the burden of European security for "too long", according to Mark Rutte.
  • Trump has praised the relationship between the US and the EU as "the biggest trading partnership in the world".
  • Finland sees parallels between Ukraine's plight and its own history, with the Soviet Union having invaded in 1939.

Sources:

  • Luke Harding, European leaders arrive in Washington on Monday before Volodymyr Zelenskyy's meeting with Donald Trump in the Oval Office, in a show of support for the Ukrainian president.
  • Mark Rutte has referred to Trump as "Daddy" in an attempt to avoid outbursts at the NATO summit.
  • Ursula von der Leyen is a staunch supporter of Ukraine and backs Kyiv's EU membership.
  • Sir Keir Starmer has performed a balancing act between Trump and Ukraine.
  • Alexander Stubb has established a warm relationship with Trump.
  • Emmanuel Macron has become a key diplomatic ally for Ukraine.
  • Friedrich Merz has emerged as a crucial partner for Zelenskyy.
  • Giorgia Meloni has spent time at Mar-a-Lago and was the only European leader invited to Trump's inauguration in January.

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