Trending Now
We have updated our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for Eurasia Group and its affiliates, including GZERO Media, to clarify the types of data we collect, how we collect it, how we use data and with whom we share data. By using our website you consent to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, including the transfer of your personal data to the United States from your country of residence, and our use of cookies described in our Cookie Policy.
{{ subpage.title }}
Zelensky, Trump, and NATO: A united front on Ukraine?
In this episode of Ian Bremmer’s Quick Take, Ian breaks down Zelensky’s latest trip to Washington, this time joined by a united front of European leaders.
Ian explains why this visit is such a sharp contrast from February, when Zelensky came to the White House alone and left with little to show for it. Today, he arrives alongside key allies from the UK, Germany, France, Finland, Italy, EU and NATO leadership, a powerful symbol that Europe is stepping up.
Europe’s role in supporting Ukraine has shifted dramatically. As Ian notes, European military and financial aid to Kyiv now outpaces that of the United States, giving Europe greater leverage in shaping the war’s future. That includes discussions of “near Article 5” guarantees for Ukraine, signaling long-term security commitments even without NATO membership.
The meeting also highlights the growing importance of maintaining a unified transatlantic stance. While Putin continues to resist any ceasefire, the presence of Europe’s top leaders in Washington underscores that NATO is stronger and more coordinated than it was just months ago.
The key question now: Will Trump remain aligned with Europe’s position — or leave Putin more room to maneuver?
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrives at Shannon airport ahead of a bilateral meeting with Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheal Martin, in Shannon, Ireland, February 27, 2025.
Once again, Trump meets Zelensky
For all the anxiety in Ukraine and across Europe about direct Donald Trump-Vladimir Putin ceasefire negotiations, other players in this drama are now having their say. French President Emmanuel Macron met with Trump at the White House on Wednesday. On Thursday, it was UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s turn to glad-hand and bargain with the US president. And today, the diplomatic music will reach a crescendo with a visit to the White House by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The most important question that everyone is grappling with: What kind of security guarantee can and will Trump and/or European leaders offer Ukraine to limit the risk that a deal to end the fighting won’t stop Putin from launching a future invasion?
Trump insists Ukraine isn’t strong enough to evict Russian troops from the approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory they now hold. But if Zelensky is to consider territorial concessions as the eventual price of peace, he must show Ukraine’s people that their country will maintain strong-enough friends with strong-enough militaries and stiff-enough backbones to repel any future Russian attack.
One lesson we’ve learned from the past two months: It matters little what any of these leaders say publicly about what they consider acceptable or unacceptable. That’s part of the diplomatic haggling. All that matters is the written language of any agreement they might reach and the ability and willingness of outside players to enforce it. For that, we’ll have to keep watching.