KYIV: European leaders are preparing to stand alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Washington as U.S. President Donald Trump presses for a swift peace settlement with Russia. The move comes days after Trump’s high-profile summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where the two leaders discussed proposals to freeze the current battle lines in exchange for Ukraine ceding the Donetsk region. Zelenskiy has firmly rejected such terms, insisting that no territorial concessions will be made.

Trump’s shift in approach has alarmed Kyiv and its allies. While the U.S. has floated the idea of providing Ukraine with security guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5 protections, Ukrainian officials remain wary, citing past failures such as the 1994 Budapest Memorandum that failed to prevent Russian aggression.

To counterbalance Washington’s pressure, leaders from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Finland will accompany Zelenskiy to the U.S. capital. European governments have stressed that any negotiations must include Ukraine as an equal partner and must be based on enforceable guarantees rather than vague assurances. Speaking from Brussels, Zelenskiy reiterated that talks can only begin after a ceasefire and that current front lines should serve as the starting point for any potential settlement.

The diplomatic maneuvers are already affecting global markets. European defense stocks have risen on expectations of prolonged conflict, while Ukrainian bonds remain under pressure. Brent crude prices have eased amid speculation of a potential reduction in hostilities, and gold has rallied to \$3,350 per ounce as investors hedge against uncertainty. The euro, buoyed by Europe’s united front, continues to strengthen against the U.S. dollar.

For Trump, the gamble lies in balancing a quick resolution with maintaining transatlantic unity. By leaning closer to Putin’s terms, he risks alienating traditional U.S. allies while placing added pressure on Ukraine. European leaders, however, are determined to prevent a hasty compromise that undermines Ukrainian sovereignty.

As Zelenskiy arrives in Washington on August 18, the summit is shaping up as a crucial test of whether Western unity will hold firm or fracture under the weight of Trump’s push for a rapid peace deal.