Trump Pushes for Swift Ukraine Peace Deal Amid European Unity

European leaders are rallying around Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as he prepares to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. The high-stakes meeting aims to strengthen Zelenskiy's position as Trump advocates for a quick peace deal with Russia, following his discussions with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

The potential agreement, reportedly proposing territorial compromises, has sparked concern among European nations. German, French, and British leaders emphasized Ukraine's need for strong security guarantees, expressing reluctance to support any negotiations that would not involve Kyiv. Meanwhile, Trump pledged significant progress on Russia without detailing specific outcomes.

As the U.S. and European leaders continue their dialogue, the fate of the Donbas region remains a contentious point. European allies urge caution, echoing sentiments that peace negotiations should not occur under ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, discussions on further security measures include the possible implementation of collective defense strategies, similar to NATO's Article 5.

(With inputs from agencies.)