The visit comes days after Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where the U.S. leader endorsed the idea of a permanent peace deal that could see Ukraine cede territory seized by Moscow. Trump’s stance has rattled European allies, who insist on a ceasefire first and strongly reject any loss of Ukrainian land.

To underscore Europe’s position, a powerful delegation has joined Zelensky, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Macron said the aim of the talks is to demonstrate unwavering support for Kyiv, cautioning against showing weakness to Russia. Merz stressed that negotiations must begin with a ceasefire, while von der Leyen warned that further sanctions on Moscow remain on the table if Russia continues to push for territorial concessions.

For Finland, President Stubb is expected to play a mediating role, seeking to avoid renewed tensions between Trump and Zelensky as seen during the Ukrainian leader’s previous U.S. visit. He will also emphasize that Europe cannot be sidelined in discussions shaping Ukraine’s security future.

Moscow, meanwhile, is demanding that Ukraine recognize the loss of four regions Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, which make up about 15% of its territory and abandon its NATO ambitions. Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev recently claimed that Europe is “under heavy pressure” following the Trump-Putin meeting.

The Washington talks are set to test Western unity at a decisive moment, with Ukraine resisting territorial compromise and Russia pressing for a settlement that would redraw borders.