Context:

European leaders are rallying behind Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he prepares to meet with Donald Trump in Washington, amid pressures for a swift peace deal with Russia. Trump, having aligned more with Moscow after meeting Vladimir Putin, is advocating for Ukraine to accept a deal that involves territorial concessions. European leaders emphasize the need for robust security guarantees for Ukraine, warning against negotiating peace without a ceasefire. Despite Trump's assertions of progress with Russia, Ukrainian resistance to territorial concessions remains firm, especially concerning the Donbas region. The ongoing war, which has resulted in over a million casualties, underscores the urgency of finding a resolution, though the path to peace remains complex and fraught with challenges among Ukraine's allies and adversaries alike.

Dive Deeper:

• Trump's meeting with Putin in Alaska has led to increased pressure on Zelenskyy to accept a peace deal, with Trump aligning more closely with Moscow and advocating for territorial concessions from Ukraine.

• The proposed deal includes Russia relinquishing small occupied areas in exchange for Ukraine ceding significant portions of its eastern territory, particularly the Donbas region, which is mostly under Russian control.

• European leaders, including those from Germany, France, and the UK, are supporting Zelenskyy by seeking strong security guarantees from the US, aiming to prevent a repeat of past diplomatic failures.

• There is significant concern among European leaders about negotiating peace without a ceasefire, as emphasized by Poland's statement that peace cannot be negotiated under ongoing conflict conditions.

• While Trump suggests an 'Article 5-like' protection for Ukraine, the historical context of previous security guarantees, such as those from 1994, raises skepticism about their effectiveness given Russia's past actions.

• The potential peace deal requires concessions from both Russia and Ukraine, with discussions of further consequences for Russia if an agreement is not reached, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic tensions.

• Zelenskyy's firm stance against ceding territory, especially after Trump's suggestion to give up the entirety of Donetsk, reflects Ukraine's commitment to maintaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity.